Bee Gees – I Started a Joke
An evening pause: In honor of the passing of Robin Gibbs on May 20. This performance was recorded live at Festival Hall in Melbourne, Australia in 1971.
Category: Behind The Black
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has published another spectacular oblique image of Tycho crater.
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has published another spectacular oblique image of Tycho crater.
If you look closely at the slope of the mountain, you can see an avalanche trail at its center and the debris piled up at the mountain’s base.
See the first oblique image, released in June 2011, here. The two images look at the crater from opposite directions.
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has published another spectacular oblique image of Tycho crater.
If you look closely at the slope of the mountain, you can see an avalanche trail at its center and the debris piled up at the mountain’s base.
See the first oblique image, released in June 2011, here. The two images look at the crater from opposite directions.
An eco-terrorist was arrested in Great Britain on Sunday for breaking into an agricultural research facility and trying to destroy a test crop of genetically modified wheat.
Attack of the ignorant: A protester was arrested in Great Britain on Sunday for breaking into an agricultural research facility and trying to destroy a test crop of genetically modified wheat.
Attack of the ignorant: A protester was arrested in Great Britain on Sunday for breaking into an agricultural research facility and trying to destroy a test crop of genetically modified wheat.
The town of Tewksbury, Massachusetts has teamed up with the federal government in an attempt to seize a private hotel, sell it, and give 80 percent of the proceeds to the local police department.
Theft by government: The town of Tewksbury, Massachusetts has teamed up with the federal government in an attempt to seize a private hotel, sell it, and give 80 percent of the proceeds to the local police department.
Theft by government: The town of Tewksbury, Massachusetts has teamed up with the federal government in an attempt to seize a private hotel, sell it, and give 80 percent of the proceeds to the local police department.
The Falcon 9 launch tonight is a go, with weather 80 percent favorable
The Falcon 9 launch tonight is a go, with weather 80 percent favorable.
The Falcon 9 launch tonight is a go, with weather 80 percent favorable.
Wisconsin police demand that a family bring cash to bail their son out of jail, and then confiscate the cash.
Theft by government: Wisconsin police demand that a family bring cash to bail their son out of jail, and then confiscate the cash.
It is worse than you think.
Theft by government: Wisconsin police demand that a family bring cash to bail their son out of jail, and then confiscate the cash.
It is worse than you think.
Forty-three Catholic institutions today filed suit over the Obamacare mandate requiring them to pay for contraceptives.
We’ve only just begun: Forty-three Catholic institutions today filed suit over the Obamacare mandate requiring them to pay for contraceptives.
As stated in the complaint filed by the University of Notre Dame:
This lawsuit is about one of America’s most cherished freedoms: the freedom to practice one’s religion without government interference. It is not about whether people have a right to abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception. Those services are, and will continue to be, freely available in the United States, and nothing prevents the Government itself from making them more widely available. But the right to such services does not authorize the Government to force the University of Notre Dame (“Notre Dame”) to violate its own conscience by making it provide, pay for, and/or facilitate those services to others, contrary to its sincerely held religious beliefs.
We’ve only just begun: Forty-three Catholic institutions today filed suit over the Obamacare mandate requiring them to pay for contraceptives.
As stated in the complaint filed by the University of Notre Dame:
This lawsuit is about one of America’s most cherished freedoms: the freedom to practice one’s religion without government interference. It is not about whether people have a right to abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception. Those services are, and will continue to be, freely available in the United States, and nothing prevents the Government itself from making them more widely available. But the right to such services does not authorize the Government to force the University of Notre Dame (“Notre Dame”) to violate its own conscience by making it provide, pay for, and/or facilitate those services to others, contrary to its sincerely held religious beliefs.
The federal judges in the Ninth Circuit plan to hold a conference in Hawaii this August that could cost $1 million or more, and will include a golf tournament, a tennis tournament, an ice cream social, a garden tour, sport fishing, yoga, surfing lessons, and Zumba dancing lessons.
Our federal government at work: The federal judges in the Ninth Circuit plan to hold a conference in Hawaii this August that could cost $1 million or more, and will include a golf tournament, a tennis tournament, an ice cream social, a garden tour, sport fishing, yoga, surfing lessons, and Zumba dancing lessons.
Though many of these recreational events are supposingly not being paid for by government funds, there is something rotten here, without doubt. I’ve been to too many of these kinds of conferences as a journalist, and saw millions wasted for the entertainment of government employees. And in this case, the government is getting them to Hawaii.
Our federal government at work: The federal judges in the Ninth Circuit plan to hold a conference in Hawaii this August that could cost $1 million or more, and will include a golf tournament, a tennis tournament, an ice cream social, a garden tour, sport fishing, yoga, surfing lessons, and Zumba dancing lessons.
Though many of these recreational events are supposingly not being paid for by government funds, there is something rotten here, without doubt. I’ve been to too many of these kinds of conferences as a journalist, and saw millions wasted for the entertainment of government employees. And in this case, the government is getting them to Hawaii.
Boeing has unveiled a design to put small satellites into orbit for as little as $300,000 per launch.
The competition heats up: Boeing has unveiled a design to put small satellites into orbit for as little as $300,000 per launch.
The competition heats up: Boeing has unveiled a design to put small satellites into orbit for as little as $300,000 per launch.
SpaceX is set to begin the countdown tonight for a May 22nd launch of Falcon 9/Dragon.
SpaceX is set to begin the countdown tonight for a 3:44 am (Eastern) May 22nd launch of Falcon 9/Dragon.
SpaceX is set to begin the countdown tonight for a 3:44 am (Eastern) May 22nd launch of Falcon 9/Dragon.
“The Iranian nation is standing for its cause and that is the full annihilation of Israel.”
Iran’s military chief of staff: “The Iranian nation is standing for its cause and that is the full annihilation of Israel.”
They’ve said it multiple times. They mean it. They believe in genocide and intend to carry it out. And they will soon have the atomic bomb.
But don’t worry. In America the Democrats are making sure contraceptives are free to everyone.
Iran’s military chief of staff: “The Iranian nation is standing for its cause and that is the full annihilation of Israel.”
They’ve said it multiple times. They mean it. They believe in genocide and intend to carry it out. And they will soon have the atomic bomb.
But don’t worry. In America the Democrats are making sure contraceptives are free to everyone.
Bridge Day rappel
An evening pause: Bridge Day 2011: An 800+ foot rappel from the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia. The event is held each fall, when they close the bridge to vehicles so pedestrians, base jumpers, and rappellers can enjoy it. I’ve done this rappel four times, twice as part of the safety team.
On the clip below, the rappel itself begins at 3:40. As this was this guy’s first rappel on the bridge, he takes it very slow, which is okay as it gives him time to enjoy the view.
The world’s most dangerous bridge?
An evening pause: A different kind of bridge, located in Russia and one that I wouldn’t speed across. Built originally as a railroad bridge to cross the Vitim River, it is 1870 feet long and about 50 feet above the water. Note how many of the cross planks are not attached.
SpaceX has reported that they have found the cause of the Falcon 9 launch abort this morning.
In an email update, SpaceX reports that they have found the cause of the Falcon 9 launch abort this morning.
During rigorous inspections of the engine, SpaceX engineers discovered a faulty check valve on the Merlin engine. We are now in the process of replacing the failed valve. Those repairs should be complete tonight. We will continue to review data on Sunday. If things look good, we will be ready to attempt to launch on Tuesday, May 22nd at 3:44 AM Eastern.
If this is true, than this entire exercise is an unqualified success and illustrates a certain robustness to SpaceX’s engineering on Falcon 9. Their control computer during the launch process spotted the problem before it caused a complete loss of the vehicle and payload. They can now locate the problem, fix it, and proceed with launch.
In an email update, SpaceX reports that they have found the cause of the Falcon 9 launch abort this morning.
During rigorous inspections of the engine, SpaceX engineers discovered a faulty check valve on the Merlin engine. We are now in the process of replacing the failed valve. Those repairs should be complete tonight. We will continue to review data on Sunday. If things look good, we will be ready to attempt to launch on Tuesday, May 22nd at 3:44 AM Eastern.
If this is true, than this entire exercise is an unqualified success and illustrates a certain robustness to SpaceX’s engineering on Falcon 9. Their control computer during the launch process spotted the problem before it caused a complete loss of the vehicle and payload. They can now locate the problem, fix it, and proceed with launch.
A planet turning to dust
A planet turning to dust.
A planet turning to dust.
“The system itself is corrupt, but worse, it’s utterly corrupting.”
Some thoughts on the scrub
Last night Falcon 9’s computers shut the launch down at T minus zero seconds after sensing a high chamber pressure in one first stage engine.
Two thoughts, one good, one not so good.
» Read more
Falcon 9 aborted its launch tonight at 4:55 am (Eastern) at T minus zero seconds.
No go: Falcon 9 aborted its launch tonight at 4:55 am (Eastern) at T minus zero seconds.
Just after ignition there was a shutdown. They were able to make the vehicle safe, and are trying to figure out what happened. It appears there was a high pressure reading in one engine.
The next opportunity to launch is three days hence, though whether they will go for it then depends on whether they can figure out what caused the shutdown.
Update: More details here.
No go: Falcon 9 aborted its launch tonight at 4:55 am (Eastern) at T minus zero seconds.
Just after ignition there was a shutdown. They were able to make the vehicle safe, and are trying to figure out what happened. It appears there was a high pressure reading in one engine.
The next opportunity to launch is three days hence, though whether they will go for it then depends on whether they can figure out what caused the shutdown.
Update: More details here.
Is there a drone in your neighborhood?
Is there a drone in your neighborhood?
Is there a drone in your neighborhood?
Duct tape suspension bridge built by the students of Dublin High School Engineering and Design Academy in California
WhiteKnightTwo made its 80th flight yesterday.
The competition heats up: WhiteKnightTwo made its 80th flight yesterday.
The competition heats up: WhiteKnightTwo made its 80th flight yesterday.
Falcon 9 is now upright on launchpad
Falcon 9 is now upright on launchpad for tomorrow morning’s 4:55 am (Eastern) launch. For continual updates, go here.
Falcon 9 is now upright on launchpad for tomorrow morning’s 4:55 am (Eastern) launch. For continual updates, go here.
Toaster purse
Japan today launched its first commercial satellite.
The competition heats up: Japan today launched its first commercial satellite.
The competition heats up: Japan today launched its first commercial satellite.
A second Catholic University is now considering eliminating their student health plans because of Obamacare and the contraceptive mandate.
We’ve only just begun: A second Catholic University is now considering eliminating their student health plan because of Obamacare and the administration’s contraceptive mandate.
We’ve only just begun: A second Catholic University is now considering eliminating their student health plan because of Obamacare and the administration’s contraceptive mandate.
Only 65% of the political class and only 61% of Democrats are aware that federal spending has gone up in the past ten years.
Pitiful: Only 65% of the political class and only 61% of Democrats are aware that federal spending has gone up in the past ten years.
Interestingly, 85% of the general public knows this basic fact, which might explain why the intellectual elites of our country — from both parties — are continually being blindsided by the rise of the tea party movement and its continued success in elections.
Pitiful: Only 65% of the political class and only 61% of Democrats are aware that federal spending has gone up in the past ten years.
Interestingly, 85% of the general public knows this basic fact, which might explain why the intellectual elites of our country — from both parties — are continually being blindsided by the rise of the tea party movement and its continued success in elections.
“I have never felt more like a nerd in my life.”
New research suggests that the “good” cholesterol isn’t as good as previously believed.
The uncertainty of science: New research suggests that the “good” cholesterol isn’t as good as previously believed.
The uncertainty of science: New research suggests that the “good” cholesterol isn’t as good as previously believed.
More information on the annular solar eclipse coming to the southwest U.S. this Sunday.
More information on the annular solar eclipse coming to the southwest U.S. this Sunday.
Actually, the second link above provides better information on where and when to view the eclipse. Definitely click on the map showing the national parks where viewing will be best.
More information on the annular solar eclipse coming to the southwest U.S. this Sunday.
Actually, the second link above provides better information on where and when to view the eclipse. Definitely click on the map showing the national parks where viewing will be best.
The Soyuz spacecraft has docked successfully with ISS.
The Soyuz spacecraft with three astronauts has docked successfully with ISS.
Barring weather or another launch scrub, it looks like Saturday will be launch day for Falcon 9 and Dragon
The Soyuz spacecraft with three astronauts has docked successfully with ISS.
Barring weather or another launch scrub, it looks like Saturday will be launch day for Falcon 9 and Dragon