Iran plans to launch several home-built satellites by March 2012
The new colonial movement heats up: Ahmadinejad said today that by March 2012 Iran plans to launch a host of home-built satellites on its own home-built rocket.
Author: Robert Zimmerman
House committee to review NASA budget
The first post-2010-election House appropriations committee hearing on NASA’s budget will take place this week. Key quote:
“The goal of the hearings is to help identify top management challenges and find ways to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in these respective departments and agencies,” the chairman of the CJS subcommittee, Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA)
NBC employee who distributed “What is the internet?” video fired
The NBC employee who distributed the “What is the internet?” video was fired this week for doing so. First, if you haven’t seen it, here’s the video:
Though this video is hilarious, and does illustrate how completely contemptuous TV news anchors can be about new things they haven’t bothered to do any research about, it is also unfair to laugh at them with 20-20 hindsight. At one point or another we were all as ignorant as they are. Note also that we do not know the whole story about why NBC fired this employee.
Reagan tells Soviet jokes
An evening pause: On Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday.
The first 360 degree view of the sun
Falcon 9 signed to launch Google Lunar X prize competitor
One of the competitor’s for the Google Lunar X prize has signed a contract with SpaceX to use the Falcon 9 to get its spacecraft to the Moon. Key quote:
The Falcon 9 upper stage will sling Astrobotic on a four-day cruise to the Moon. Astrobotic will then orbit the moon to align for landing. The spacecraft will land softly, precisely and safely using technologies pioneered by Carnegie Mellon University for guiding autonomous cars. The rover will explore for three months, operate continuously during the lunar days, and hibernate through the lunar nights. The lander will sustain payload operations with generous power and communications.
Palin speech honoring service members canceled due to liberal hate
The liberal way of toning down the rhetoric: A speech by Sarah Palin honoring soldiers and their families has been canceled due to “an onslaught of personal attacks against Governor Palin and others associated with her appearance.”
Dextre does its first work on ISS
Robots in action! The robot arm Dextre did its first work on ISS this week, unloading two payloads from the Japanese unmanned freighter that docked with the station last week.
The Beatles – Happy Birthday
An evening pause:
A Muslim community launches campaign expressing loyalty to US
We need more of this: An American Muslim community has launched a campaign expressing its loyalty to the US while condeming Islamic terrorism.
Former NASA employee is being investigated for stealing and selling shuttle tiles on eBay
The former NASA employee whose home was raided two days ago is being investigated for stealing and selling shuttle tiles on eBay.
Very Small Asteroid Makes record close Earth Approach on February 4, 2011
On February 4 a very small asteroid, about a yard in diameter, zipped past the Earth at a distance of only 3,400 miles, closer than any previously recorded asteroid.
While NASA retreats to capsule, two companies push commercial spaceplane concepts
While NASA retreats to building a capsule, two private companies push commercial spaceplane concepts.
This nicely illustrates the contrasting levels of innovation between NASA and the private sector.
A Roman super-highway built 1,900 years ago has been uncovered in England
A Roman super-highway, built 1,900 years ago, has been uncovered in England.
Ode to Forgetfulness
An evening pause: By Mack Dryden.
More secrets of the Soviet N1 Moon rocket
Secrets of the Soviet N1 Moon rocket.
Taking a Soyuz capsule around the moon
If you’re interested, seats are available for a tourist trip around the moon in a Soyuz capsule. And the Russians say the Soyuz is ready to go!
Bernanke headlines a day of grim warnings about the nation’s fiscal standing
Fed chairman Bernanke issued a grim warning yesterday about the federal government’s overwhelming debt. Key quote:
The national debt is currently about 60 percent of the economy, or Gross Domestic Product, [Bernanke] said, adding that it is projected to reach 90 percent of GDP by 2020 and 150 percent of GDP by 2030. But Bernanke’s citation of $9.5 trillion in national debt didn’t include the $4.6 trillion owed by the government to trust funds for things such as Social Security and Medicare, which have paid out cash to the Treasury in exchange for promisory notes. The full national debt – when both forms of debt are included – is already just under 100 percent of GDP, which is currently around $14.6 trillion.
Liberal theater group imagines the joy of killing conservatives
How’s this for toning down the rhetoric? A Wisconsin liberal theater group is putting on a play whereby liberals get to kill some conservatives.
Paul Says Republicans ‘Aren’t Maybe Brave Enough’ to Tackle Deficit
Go Rand Go! Senator Paul accuses Republicans of being too wimpy in their recent budget proposals.