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!
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
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.
Mark Kelly, Giffords’ astronaut husband, will fly shuttle mission
Mark Kelly, Congresswoman Giffords’ astronaut husband, has decided to fly his shuttle mission.
More layoffs in the shuttle program
Should the U.S. agree to the European code of conduct in space?
Should the U.S. agree to the European Union’s space code of conduct?
Some details on the GOP’s proposed budget cuts
This closer look at the GOP’s proposed budget cuts will give you an idea which pigs are about to squeal.
Update: In fact, the squeals have already started, among Senate Democrats.
Scientists discover treasure trove of fossils in limestone layer in China
Scientists have discovered a treasure trove of 250-million-year-old fossils in limestone layer in China. Key quote:
The 50-foot-thick (16 meters) layer of limestone that held these fossils dates back to when south China was a large island just north of the equator with a tropical climate. A smattering of fossil land plants suggest this marine community lived near a conifer forest. The fossils are exceptionally well-preserved, with more than half of them completely intact, including soft tissues. Apparently they were protected across the ages by mats of microbes that rapidly sealed their bodies off from decay after death.
GOP offers $32B budget cut
The pigs are winning! A GOP budget proposal offered today only proposes $32 billion in budget cuts for this year, rather than the $100 billion they promised during the campaign.
EPA decides to regulate rocket fuel chemical
Just what the new space industry needs, more regulations! The EPA has decided it has the right to regulate perchlorate, a chemical used for rocket fuel as well as fireworks and other explosives.
Evidence of significant changes to northern martian sand dunes
Scientists have discovered significant seasonal changes to the northern martian sand dunes, including a number of large avalanches.