Category: Behind The Black
Dragon has been approved to approach within one mile of ISS tonight in its first rendezvous test.
Dragon has been approved to approach within 1.5 miles of ISS tonight in its first rendezvous test. More information here.
If this goes well tonight, Dragon will next attempt to approach the station close enough for its robot arm to grab it.
Dragon has been approved to approach within 1.5 miles of ISS tonight in its first rendezvous test. More information here.
If this goes well tonight, Dragon will next attempt to approach the station close enough for its robot arm to grab it.
Four Princeton physicists received over $1.5 million in lodging subsidies from the Department of Energy while on “temporary” assignment to other labs, even after living at that assigment for as much as 14 years.
The work is good if you can get it: Four Princeton physicists received over $1.5 million in lodging subsidies from the Department of Energy while on “temporary” assignment to other labs, even after living at that assignment for as much as 14 years.
The above story, from Science, takes a more sympathic view of this misuse of government funds. The Washington Post is more blunt:
Four high-ranking federal lab workers found a way to turn “per diem” funds for a temporary assignment into a steady flow of extra income — at taxpayers’ expense. The overpayments, discovered in an inspector general’s audit, boosted the annual pay of some of the employees by as much as $64,000.
The Department of Energy paid the four scientists roughly $1.8 million for daily lodging and “inconvenience” during assignments away from home. But these scientists were paid as if they were on temporary duty for up to 14 years — long after most had permanently relocated to job sites.
The problem with this story is that it isn’t an exception but the rule. Right now the wolves are guarding the chicken house, and they are raiding it routinely for as much cash as they can get. Consider for example last week’s story about the NIH study that has spent a billion dollars without even getting off the ground.
You give someone the equivalent of a blank check, and they will make no effort to do things efficiently, or even to do what you hired them for.
The work is good if you can get it: Four Princeton physicists received over $1.5 million in lodging subsidies from the Department of Energy while on “temporary” assignment to other labs, even after living at that assignment for as much as 14 years.
The above story, from Science, takes a more sympathic view of this misuse of government funds. The Washington Post is more blunt:
Four high-ranking federal lab workers found a way to turn “per diem” funds for a temporary assignment into a steady flow of extra income — at taxpayers’ expense. The overpayments, discovered in an inspector general’s audit, boosted the annual pay of some of the employees by as much as $64,000.
The Department of Energy paid the four scientists roughly $1.8 million for daily lodging and “inconvenience” during assignments away from home. But these scientists were paid as if they were on temporary duty for up to 14 years — long after most had permanently relocated to job sites.
The problem with this story is that it isn’t an exception but the rule. Right now the wolves are guarding the chicken house, and they are raiding it routinely for as much cash as they can get. Consider for example last week’s story about the NIH study that has spent a billion dollars without even getting off the ground.
You give someone the equivalent of a blank check, and they will make no effort to do things efficiently, or even to do what you hired them for.
Scientists who published a study last month that said they could find no evidence of dark matter in nearby interstellar space, have re-analyzed their data and found that the dark matter is apparently there.
Never mind! Scientists who published a study last month that said they could find no evidence of dark matter in nearby interstellar space have re-analyzed their data and found that the dark matter is apparently there.
Never mind! Scientists who published a study last month that said they could find no evidence of dark matter in nearby interstellar space have re-analyzed their data and found that the dark matter is apparently there.
The National Academy holds a panel of past and present presidential science advisers, and invites only Democrats.
The National Academy holds a panel of past and present presidential science advisers, and invites only Democrats.
It just wouldn’t be right to allow an alternative perspective into the discussion, would it?
The National Academy holds a panel of past and present presidential science advisers, and invites only Democrats.
It just wouldn’t be right to allow an alternative perspective into the discussion, would it?
How a leftist activist/convicted bomber is working to destroy the lives of several bloggers.
Leftwing civility: How a leftist activist/convicted bomber is working to destroy the lives of several bloggers.
Leftwing civility: How a leftist activist/convicted bomber is working to destroy the lives of several bloggers.
At a conference in Washington DC yesterday both Russia and Japan announced the Moon as their next primary space exploration goal.
The new colonial movement: At a conference in Washington DC yesterday both Russia and Japan announced the Moon as their next primary space exploration goal.
If the U.S. gets a competitive private aerospace industry going — which seems increasingly likely — I’m willing to bet those companies will get to the Moon before either of these governments.
The new colonial movement: At a conference in Washington DC yesterday both Russia and Japan announced the Moon as their next primary space exploration goal.
If the U.S. gets a competitive private aerospace industry going — which seems increasingly likely — I’m willing to bet those companies will get to the Moon before either of these governments.
“the Obama camp looks ominously like a cult of personality that tolerates no dissent.”
“The Obama camp looks ominously like a cult of personality that tolerates no dissent.”
From a black, a Democrat, and a former Congressman.
“The Obama camp looks ominously like a cult of personality that tolerates no dissent.”
From a black, a Democrat, and a former Congressman.
Obama only gets 58 percent of the vote in the Kentucky primary today, with “uncommitted” getting 42 percent.
What does this tell us? “Uncommitted” got 42 percent of the vote against Barack Obama in the Kentucky primary today,
Update: Meanwhile, in Arkansas, Obama is only getting 59 percent of the vote against a relatively unknown Democrat candidate.
What does this tell us? “Uncommitted” got 42 percent of the vote against Barack Obama in the Kentucky primary today,
Update: Meanwhile, in Arkansas, Obama is only getting 59 percent of the vote against a relatively unknown Democrat candidate.
“I think it was a missed opportunity of tremendous proportions that the Republicans didn’t embrace what they said they believed in during those times.”
The speaker is a Republican, and he is talking correctly about the first four years of the Bush Jr. presidency.
The speaker is a Republican, and he is talking correctly about the first four years of the Bush Jr. presidency.
Olivia Newton John – Don’t Cry For Me Argentina
Based on new calculations, an astronomer has proposed the existence of an unseen planet four times the size of Earth lurking in the outer reaches of the solar system.
Based on new calculations, an astronomer has proposed the existence of an unseen planet four times the size of Earth lurking in the outer reaches of the solar system.
Based on new calculations, an astronomer has proposed the existence of an unseen planet four times the size of Earth lurking in the outer reaches of the solar system.
Iran is expected to launch its first maneuverable satellite tomorrow.
Iran is expected to launch its first maneuverable satellite tomorrow.
Iran is expected to launch its first maneuverable satellite tomorrow.
Killer microbes from the edge of space?
Killer microbes from the edge of space? One organization wants to know.
Killer microbes from the edge of space? One organization wants to know.
A conservative blogger and his family have been forced into hiding for revealing the criminal past of a leftwing activist.
Leftwing civility: A conservative blogger and his family have been forced into hiding for revealing the criminal past of a leftwing activist.
Leftwing civility: A conservative blogger and his family have been forced into hiding for revealing the criminal past of a leftwing activist.
R.I.P. Eugene Polley, inventor of the television remote control..
R.I.P. Eugene Polley, inventor of the television remote control.
R.I.P. Eugene Polley, inventor of the television remote control.
A rocket launch pushes Congress towards free enterprise
Several key elected officials who have generally been hostile to commercial space have commented positively to the successful launch of the Dragon capsule last night.
First, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) released this short statement:
» Read more
The Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee have approved raising the airline security fees to fund the TSA.
Tone deaf: The Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee have approved raising airline security fees in order to fund the TSA.
Tone deaf: The Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee have approved raising airline security fees in order to fund the TSA.
The world’s tallest tower opened to tourists today in Tokyo.
The world’s tallest tower opened to tourists today in Tokyo.
The world’s tallest tower opened to tourists today in Tokyo.
“If the quality of the Administration’s economic analysis hadn’t already proven to be nearly worthless the discrepancy here would be stunning.”
The discrepancy refers to a claim made by the Obama administration about one benefit of Obamacare, compared to the reality of what has actually happened.
It is time to repeal this disaster of a law. We should also fire the politicians who foisted it on us.
The discrepancy refers to a claim made by the Obama administration about one benefit of Obamacare, compared to the reality of what has actually happened.
It is time to repeal this disaster of a law. We should also fire the politicians who foisted it on us.
Russia is considering ending its joint commercial program with the Ukraine and Kazakhstan to launch satellites using its Dnepr rocket.
Russia is considering ending its joint commercial program with the Ukraine and Kazakhstan to launch satellites using its Dnepr rocket.
There are several reasons this decision might happen. One, the Russian government under Putin might now be shifting away from capitalism after two decades of financial success. And if so, that will be to the United States’ advantage. Two, they might have decided that the Dnepr system can’t compete on the market, and it is wiser not to throw good money after bad.
Either way, the abandonment of Dnepr will be bad for Kazakhstan and the Ukraine, and suggests that when the Russians finally get their Vostochny spaceport operational, on their own soil, they will abandon Baikonur in Kazakhstan forever.
Russia is considering ending its joint commercial program with the Ukraine and Kazakhstan to launch satellites using its Dnepr rocket.
There are several reasons this decision might happen. One, the Russian government under Putin might now be shifting away from capitalism after two decades of financial success. And if so, that will be to the United States’ advantage. Two, they might have decided that the Dnepr system can’t compete on the market, and it is wiser not to throw good money after bad.
Either way, the abandonment of Dnepr will be bad for Kazakhstan and the Ukraine, and suggests that when the Russians finally get their Vostochny spaceport operational, on their own soil, they will abandon Baikonur in Kazakhstan forever.
One step closer to a robust competitive space industry
Not surprisingly, last night’s successful launch of Falcon 9 has produced a large number of news articles. Rather than list them all, go to spacetoday.net for the links.
However, I think Clark Lindsey, in describing Elon Musk’s reaction to the successful launch, captured the most important aspect of last night’s success:
» Read more
Falcon 9 has cleared the tower
Falcon 9 has cleared the tower and is “looking good.”
First stage has completed its job and has been released. The second stage is firing as planned.
Dragon has separated from the second stage and is now in orbit. Now comes the real test of this mission: Can Dragon maneuver and rendezvous with ISS?
The best moment for the entire launch sequence was when Dragon’s solar arrays deployed. The camera link was still working, so that everyone could see it. When the arrays locked open, there was a gigantic roar from the crowd of people watching at SpaceX’s mission control. Dragon was in orbit and operational!
Falcon 9 has cleared the tower and is “looking good.”
First stage has completed its job and has been released. The second stage is firing as planned.
Dragon has separated from the second stage and is now in orbit. Now comes the real test of this mission: Can Dragon maneuver and rendezvous with ISS?
The best moment for the entire launch sequence was when Dragon’s solar arrays deployed. The camera link was still working, so that everyone could see it. When the arrays locked open, there was a gigantic roar from the crowd of people watching at SpaceX’s mission control. Dragon was in orbit and operational!
The countdown has begun
Tonight’s Falcon 9 launch: The countdown has begun, and the weather conditions have improved.
SpaceX will begin its own webcast at 3 am (Eastern), which is midnight here in Arizona.
An aside: The ashes of actor James Doohan, who played Scotty on the 1960s television show Star Trek, will be among 308 other cremated remains launched into space by Falcon 9 tonight. As one commenter for the above article noted quite appropriately,
You haven’t really covered any of the important questions here.
i.e. Are there enough dilithium crystals in the engine room to get Scotty up there? And are they using photon torpedoes to blast him out into space? And when they launch, will someone say, “Take her out, Mr. Sulu. Warp factor one.”?
Godspeed, Scotty old bean.
Tonight’s Falcon 9 launch: The countdown has begun, and the weather conditions have improved.
SpaceX will begin its own webcast at 3 am (Eastern), which is midnight here in Arizona.
An aside: The ashes of actor James Doohan, who played Scotty on the 1960s television show Star Trek, will be among 308 other cremated remains launched into space by Falcon 9 tonight. As one commenter for the above article noted quite appropriately,
You haven’t really covered any of the important questions here.
i.e. Are there enough dilithium crystals in the engine room to get Scotty up there? And are they using photon torpedoes to blast him out into space? And when they launch, will someone say, “Take her out, Mr. Sulu. Warp factor one.”?
Godspeed, Scotty old bean.
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.
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.