House Spending Panel Flatlines NSF
More science budget news: The House proposes no budget increase for the National Science Foundation.
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
House proposes to drop NASA’s budget to 2008 levels, eliminate Webb Telescope
The House today proposed cutting NASA’s budget back to 2008 levels while eliminating all funds for the James Webb Space Telescope.
As much as I’d hate to see the Webb telescope die, it has cost far more than planned, is way behind schedule, and carries a gigantic risk of failure. However, if I had a choice, I’d rather they cut the $1.95 billion for Congress’s homemade heavy-lift rocket, the program-formerly-called-Constellation. There is a much better chance that Webb will get completed, launched, and work, than there is for this improvised and impossibly costly Congressionally conceived rocket.
Cassini captures a truly huge storm on Saturn.
Cassini has captured an image of a truly huge storm on Saturn. Click on the image below to see the full image.
Auto companies condemn 15% ethanol, say using it will void warranties
A dozen auto companies have condemned the 15% ethanol gasoline being pushed by Obama and corn-state politicians, saying its use will void their warranties.
LightSquared raises new capital as it awaits FCC approval despite evidence it interferes with GPS equipment
LightSquared has raised $265 million in new capital as it awaits FCC approval despite evidence its signal interferes with GPS equipment.
Serious coolant leak puts the Subaru Telescope out of commission
A serious coolant leak has put the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii out of commission.
The wreckage from the March 11 Japanese earthquake and tsunami is expected to reach the U.S. by 2013
The wreckage from the March 11 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, now adrift in the Pacific, is expected to reach the west coast of the United States by 2013.
The launch of China’s first space station module is set for September
The launch of China’s first space station module is now set for September.
Hubble Makes its One Millionth Science Observation
New NOAA commercial fishing regulations favor large businesses, destroy small family-owned operations
New NOAA commercial fishing regulations established last year are destroying small family-owned businesses.
“It sounds as if the package is going to be all spending cuts with a few symbolic revenue increases.”
Questions raised about the safety of China’s new bridge
Questions have been raised about the safety of China’s new bridge.
[China Central Television] said that workers were tightening bolts that could easily have been loosened by hand on the bridge, which has seen nearly 18,000 cars cross it every day since it was officially opened on June 30, on the eve of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.
Why does this remind me of the two shuttle accidents, where managers ignored engineering issues in order to satisfy political concerns?
Woman thrown off US Airways plane for taking photo of rude employee
A reason to avoid US Airways: A woman was thrown off of a US Airways plane for taking a photo of a rude employee.
It is also a reason to fly Southwest, as that airline stepped forward and got the woman and her husband home.
Former NASA administrator frets about future lack of leaders to run small planetary missions
A former NASA official frets about the future lack of scientists to lead small planetary missions.
More info on that Indian temple treasure trove, now estimated at $22 billion
More information on that Indian temple treasure trove, now estimated worth $22 billion.
Global warming scientists blame coal use increase in China for recent cooling
Global warming scientists have come up with an explanation for the cooling seen in the past decade: The increase of coal burning in China.
In other words, fossil fuels can cause global warming and global cooling!
Or to put it another way, climate scientists really have no clear understanding yet of the climate, and are merely guessing when they try to predict what’s happening.
Florida divers find new treasure, including emerald ring worth $500,000, from Spanish wreck
Florida divers salvaging a 1622 Spanish wreck, have found more treasure, including an emerald ring worth $500,000.
U.S. Space Walk of Fame in Titusville needs volunteers
Going to see the shuttle launch on Friday? The Space Walk of Fame Foundation Museum in Titusville, Florida needs volunteers to help organize the launch viewing at places like Space View Park.
Messages in a bottle
Statue honoring Ronald Reagan unveiled in London
A 10-foot statue honoring Ronald Reagan was unveiled in London today, on July the Fourth.