A Mars Map app for Android phones
A Mars map app for Android phones.
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
Injured astronaut replaced for next shuttle flight
NASA has named a replacement for astronaut Tim Kopra, who injured himself in a bicycle accident, for the next shuttle mission.
Union Protesters Overwhelm Security and Barge Into Banking Meeting
The left demonstrates how they tone down the rhetoric: Union protesters today overwhelmed security and barged their way into a meeting of bankers at a hotel.
Text of Obamacare repeal
Here is the text of the bill to repeal Obamacare, as introduced today.
200 Economists Ask Lawmakers to Repeal Obamacare
I’m not the only one saying it: Two hundred economists ask lawmakers to repeal Obamacare. Key quote:
The letter from economists said the law is “fiscally dangerous at a moment when the United States is already facing a sea of red ink. It creates a massive new entitlement at a time when the budget is already buckling under the weight of existing entitlements. At a minimum, it will add $1 trillion to government spending over the next decade,” the letter stated. “Assertions that these costs are paid for are based on omitted costs, budgetary gimmicks, shifted premiums from other entitlements, and unsustainable spending cuts and revenue increases.
The state of Virgin Galactic
The state of Virgin Galactic. Key quote:
One of the great things about Galactic is that it’s still built on a non-government market — that is to say, the individual spacefarer market, the space tourist market, call it what you will. As you know, we’re now over 400 people [who have paid deposits for a spaceflight], and over $55 million dollars in deposits. None of that is based on a government program. I think that’s really encouraging. It’s a sign that there are markets outside the government, and that you can build a human spaceflight business around those markets.
Astronauts4hire is still looking for astronauts
Want to become an astronaut? Astronauts4hire is still looking for a few good candidates.
Mark Kelly to decide in few weeks on shuttle command
The husband of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, astronaut Mark Kelly, says he will decide in a few weeks whether to pull out as commander of Endeavour’s final mission.
GOP spending cuts would affect millions of people
Here come the squeals! GOP spending cuts would affect millions of people.
Oh my! “Millions!” The world is going to end! Soon it will be gabillions, then squajillions, and finally megabajillionmillionbillions!
Judge rules against California ammunition law
Good news for California gun-owners: A judge has ruled against the state’s new ammunition law. The law not only required purchasers of ammunition to provide their thumbprint, photo ID, birth date, and address, it also outlawed mail-order sales of pistol ammunition.
New Study Finds No Sign of ‘First Habitable Exoplanet’
Bad news for Gliese 581g, the first exoplanet thought to orbit its star in the habitable zone: A new study can’t find it.
Univ. of Kentucky settles lawsuit from astronomer over academic religious bigotry
The University of Kentucky has agreed to pay $125,000 to the astronomer who was denied a job because of academic religious bigotry.