Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
The history of Dream Chaser and its lifting body shape.
ATK and ULA yesterday successfully tested the solid rocket strap-on motor that is used by their Delta 4 rocket.
The competition heats up: ATK and ULA yesterday successfully tested the solid rocket strap-on motor that is used by their Delta 4 rocket. With video.
They are using a new manufacturer for the motor’s nozzle, and needed to test this under cold conditions.
The competition heats up: ATK and ULA yesterday successfully tested the solid rocket strap-on motor that is used by their Delta 4 rocket. With video.
They are using a new manufacturer for the motor’s nozzle, and needed to test this under cold conditions.
There is a shortage of launch-pads available for the number of rocket launches planned.
The competition heats up: There is a shortage of launch-pads available for the number of rocket launches planned.
The competition heats up: There is a shortage of launch-pads available for the number of rocket launches planned.
A Democratic Hawaii state lawmaker threatened to file criminal charges against a newspaper for publishing a letter critical of the lawmaker.
Leftwing debate: A Democratic Hawaii state lawmaker threatened to file criminal charges against a newspaper for publishing a letter critical of the lawmaker.
Hey, isn’t that what we all do when someone criticizes us, go to the state Attorney General to get criminal charges filed?
Leftwing debate: A Democratic Hawaii state lawmaker threatened to file criminal charges against a newspaper for publishing a letter critical of the lawmaker.
Hey, isn’t that what we all do when someone criticizes us, go to the state Attorney General to get criminal charges filed?
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter team today released a set of images showing Curiosity’s recent travel on Mars, as well as some fascinating closeups of the spacecraft’s heat shield, parachute, and descent stage.
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter team today released a set of images showing Curiosity’s first steps on Mars, as well as some fascinating closeups of the spacecraft’s heat shield, parachute, and descent stage. The image on the left shows the tracks of the rover during its first few days of travel.
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter team today released a set of images showing Curiosity’s first steps on Mars, as well as some fascinating closeups of the spacecraft’s heat shield, parachute, and descent stage. The image on the left shows the tracks of the rover during its first few days of travel.
A judge has ruled that ten gold coins possibly worth as much as $80 million and in the possession of a family for more than seventy years can be seized by the federal government without compensation.
Theft by government: A judge has ruled that ten gold coins possibly worth as much as $80 million and in the possession of a family for more than seventy years can be seized by the federal government without compensation.
Theft by government: A judge has ruled that ten gold coins possibly worth as much as $80 million and in the possession of a family for more than seventy years can be seized by the federal government without compensation.
A reporter asks delegates if we should ban profits.
More reality from the Democratic convention: A reporter asks delegates if we should ban profits.
It is hilarious and frightening in the same breath. Video below the fold.
» Read more
More reality from the Democratic convention: A reporter asks delegates if we should ban profits.
It is hilarious and frightening in the same breath. Video below the fold.
» Read more
According to a family spokesman, Neil Armstrong is to be buried at sea.
According to a family spokesman, Neil Armstrong is to be buried at sea.
According to a family spokesman, Neil Armstrong is to be buried at sea.
SpaceX’s first official cargo flight to ISS could occur as early as October 5.
SpaceX’s first official cargo flight to ISS could occur as early as October 5.
SpaceX’s first official cargo flight to ISS could occur as early as October 5.
Climate changes on Mars are driven by the Sun.
Who would have thought? Climate changes on Mars are driven by the Sun.
Snark aside, the article describes how scientists have made a first attempt to link the visible layers of ice and dust at Mars’ north pole with expected past changes in climate due to the planet’s orbital variations around the Sun.
Who would have thought? Climate changes on Mars are driven by the Sun.
Snark aside, the article describes how scientists have made a first attempt to link the visible layers of ice and dust at Mars’ north pole with expected past changes in climate due to the planet’s orbital variations around the Sun.
FAA officials in Seattle have been accused of pressuring employees to vote for Democratic candidates in the November election
FAA officials in Seattle have been accused of pressuring employees to vote for Democratic candidates in the November election, a violation of the law.
“We write respectfully to request that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiate an investigation into Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety John Hickey and Deputy Director of Flight Standards Field Operations Ray Towles,” Epstein wrote. “We have been informed that during mandatory meetings of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees, Mr. Hickey and Mr. Towles encouraged employees to vote for Democratic politicians in upcoming elections, explaining their jobs may very well depend on a Democratic victory.”
The encouraging thing about this story is that it appears that the FAA is taking this allegation very seriously and appears willing to do something about it.
FAA officials in Seattle have been accused of pressuring employees to vote for Democratic candidates in the November election, a violation of the law.
“We write respectfully to request that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiate an investigation into Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety John Hickey and Deputy Director of Flight Standards Field Operations Ray Towles,” Epstein wrote. “We have been informed that during mandatory meetings of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees, Mr. Hickey and Mr. Towles encouraged employees to vote for Democratic politicians in upcoming elections, explaining their jobs may very well depend on a Democratic victory.”
The encouraging thing about this story is that it appears that the FAA is taking this allegation very seriously and appears willing to do something about it.
Delegates today booed the reinsertion of language into the Democratic platform supporting Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as well as the words “God-given.”
Some reality at a party convention! Delegates today booed the reinsertion of language into the Democratic platform supporting Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as well as the words “God-given.” With video.
As I’ve said, I normally don’t spend much time paying attention to these conventions because they are mostly staged propaganda. However, this moment was not staged, and it revealed a bit of truth about the Democratic Party: A very large percentage, possibly even a majority, of that Party is hostile to both the idea of God and to Israel’s hold on Jerusalem. Very revealing.
Some reality at a party convention! Delegates today booed the reinsertion of language into the Democratic platform supporting Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as well as the words “God-given.” With video.
As I’ve said, I normally don’t spend much time paying attention to these conventions because they are mostly staged propaganda. However, this moment was not staged, and it revealed a bit of truth about the Democratic Party: A very large percentage, possibly even a majority, of that Party is hostile to both the idea of God and to Israel’s hold on Jerusalem. Very revealing.
A psychological guide to your dog
Science marches on: A psychological guide to your dog.
Science marches on: A psychological guide to your dog.
SpaceShipTwo is being readied for its first powered flights before the end of the year.
The competition heats up: SpaceShipTwo is being readied for its first powered flights before the end of the year.
The article also provides a good review of the last two years of glide tests, what was learned and what was done with that knowledge.
The competition heats up: SpaceShipTwo is being readied for its first powered flights before the end of the year.
The article also provides a good review of the last two years of glide tests, what was learned and what was done with that knowledge.
Engineers have now confirmed that Dawn has left the gravitational sphere of Vesta and is officially on its way to Ceres.
Engineers have now confirmed that Dawn has left the gravitational sphere of Vesta and is officially on its way to Ceres.
Engineers have now confirmed that Dawn has left the gravitational sphere of Vesta and is officially on its way to Ceres.
In a spacewalk today astronaut successfully overcame a stuck bolt to install a replacement power unit.
In a spacewalk today astronauts successfully overcame a stuck bolt to install a replacement power unit.
In a spacewalk today astronauts successfully overcame a stuck bolt to install a replacement power unit.
Science vs organic food. Science wins.
Science vs organic food. Science wins.
Science vs organic food. Science wins.
NASA engineers had postponed a planned midcourse maneuver of its Jupiter-bound Juno spacecraft
NASA engineers had postponed a planned midcourse maneuver of its Jupiter-bound Juno spacecraft due to unexpectedly high pressures seen in the previous engine burn.
NASA engineers had postponed a planned midcourse maneuver of its Jupiter-bound Juno spacecraft due to unexpectedly high pressures seen in the previous engine burn.
A public memorial service for Neil Armstrong has been scheduled for September 13 in Washington, D.C.
A public memorial service for Neil Armstrong has been scheduled for September 13 in Washington, D.C.
A public memorial service for Neil Armstrong has been scheduled for September 13 in Washington, D.C.
The Democratic Party platform’s position on space and NASA is one sentence long.
The Democratic Party platform’s [pdf] position on space and NASA is one sentence long.
President Obama has charted a new mission for NASA to lead us to a future that builds on America’s legacy of innovation and exploration.
This is even worse than the Republican Party platform, and is more inexplicable. Considering how much support the Obama administration has given to private commercial space, this was a great opportunity to sell Obama as supportive of private enterprise. Sadly, they do not, which suggests again that Obama and his party really aren’t that interested in it.
The Democratic Party platform’s [pdf] position on space and NASA is one sentence long.
President Obama has charted a new mission for NASA to lead us to a future that builds on America’s legacy of innovation and exploration.
This is even worse than the Republican Party platform, and is more inexplicable. Considering how much support the Obama administration has given to private commercial space, this was a great opportunity to sell Obama as supportive of private enterprise. Sadly, they do not, which suggests again that Obama and his party really aren’t that interested in it.
Because of the failure to replace a power unit during last week’s spacewalk, the U.S. portion of ISS is now in a brown-out, with a 25% reduction in power.
Because of the failure to replace a power unit during last week’s spacewalk, the U.S. portion of ISS is now in a brown-out, with a 25% reduction in power.
They plan a second spacewalk tomorrow to try to fix the problem.
Because of the failure to replace a power unit during last week’s spacewalk, the U.S. portion of ISS is now in a brown-out, with a 25% reduction in power.
They plan a second spacewalk tomorrow to try to fix the problem.
In another attempt to win the $250,000 AHS Sikorsky Prize, the Gamera II human-powered helicopter successfully flew for more than sixty seconds
In another attempt to win the $250,000 AHS Sikorsky Prize, the Gamera II human-powered helicopter has successfully flown for more than sixty seconds Video below the fold.
» Read more
In another attempt to win the $250,000 AHS Sikorsky Prize, the Gamera II human-powered helicopter has successfully flown for more than sixty seconds Video below the fold.
» Read more
The debt of the federal government officially exceeded $16 trillion on Tuesday.
The day of reckoning looms: The debt of the federal government officially exceeded $16 trillion on Tuesday.
The day of reckoning looms: The debt of the federal government officially exceeded $16 trillion on Tuesday.
Two Russian companies have announced a joint plan to build a suborbital spacecraft for tourism.
The competition heats up: Two Russian companies have announced a joint plan to build a suborbital spacecraft for tourism.
Sounds great, but Clark Lindsey has a very informative review of the history of these announcements from Russia, none of which has ever born fruit.
The competition heats up: Two Russian companies have announced a joint plan to build a suborbital spacecraft for tourism.
Sounds great, but Clark Lindsey has a very informative review of the history of these announcements from Russia, none of which has ever born fruit.
Do you want to name an asteroid that might hit the Earth? NASA has a contest for students to do just that.
Do you want to name an asteroid that might hit the Earth? NASA has started a contest for students to do just that.
Do you want to name an asteroid that might hit the Earth? NASA has started a contest for students to do just that.
“[Medical] services provided to individuals who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens are not basic and should not be guaranteed.”
“[Medical] services provided to individuals who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens are not basic and should not be guaranteed.”
Words written by one of the writers of Obamacare, who is expected to be appointed to Obamacare’s Independent Payment Advisory Board, a panel of fifteen unelected officials whose job it will be to decide what treatment is affordable and what treatment is not and should therefore be denied. The problem with the above quote however is that this person is advocating denying treatment not because of cost but because in his opinion some individuals are simply not worth very much to society.
We have got to repeal this monstrosity.
“[Medical] services provided to individuals who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens are not basic and should not be guaranteed.”
Words written by one of the writers of Obamacare, who is expected to be appointed to Obamacare’s Independent Payment Advisory Board, a panel of fifteen unelected officials whose job it will be to decide what treatment is affordable and what treatment is not and should therefore be denied. The problem with the above quote however is that this person is advocating denying treatment not because of cost but because in his opinion some individuals are simply not worth very much to society.
We have got to repeal this monstrosity.
Russia has decided to delay the rest of its military launches this year, pending a full review of the upper stage problems of the Proton rocket.
Russia has decided to delay the rest of its military launches this year, pending a full review of the upper stage problems of the Proton rocket.
Russia has decided to delay the rest of its military launches this year, pending a full review of the upper stage problems of the Proton rocket.
To get the space shuttle Endeavour to its new home in Los Angeles city officials have decided to cut down about 400 trees along the route.
The future dies to exhibit the past: To get the space shuttle Endeavour to its new home in Los Angeles city officials have decided to cut down about 400 trees along the route.
Several alternatives for the Oct. 12 move were considered but ultimately discarded. Taking the massive shuttle apart would have damaged the delicate tiles that acted as heat sensors. Airlifting the 170,000-pound craft was also ruled out. Not even heavy-duty helicopters could sustain that kind of weight, Rudolph said. A freeway route was considered until engineers realized that the five-story-tall, 78-foot-wide shuttle could not travel under overpasses. “We had to identify a route that had no permanent infrastructures like buildings and bridges,” Rudolph said.
They settled on a final route that will follow Manchester Boulevard to Crenshaw Drive, then onto Crenshaw Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard — wide thoroughfares with few permanent obstacles. To make way for the shuttle, some trees will be pruned, power lines will be raised and traffic signals will be removed. Inglewood will lose 128 trees, and communities in South Los Angeles about 265 trees, though the exact number has not yet been determined.
Normally I wouldn’t sweat over the removal of some trees, but this is quite disgusting. It once again raises questions about the choice of Los Angeles over Houston for a shuttle.
The future dies to exhibit the past: To get the space shuttle Endeavour to its new home in Los Angeles city officials have decided to cut down about 400 trees along the route.
Several alternatives for the Oct. 12 move were considered but ultimately discarded. Taking the massive shuttle apart would have damaged the delicate tiles that acted as heat sensors. Airlifting the 170,000-pound craft was also ruled out. Not even heavy-duty helicopters could sustain that kind of weight, Rudolph said. A freeway route was considered until engineers realized that the five-story-tall, 78-foot-wide shuttle could not travel under overpasses. “We had to identify a route that had no permanent infrastructures like buildings and bridges,” Rudolph said.
They settled on a final route that will follow Manchester Boulevard to Crenshaw Drive, then onto Crenshaw Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard — wide thoroughfares with few permanent obstacles. To make way for the shuttle, some trees will be pruned, power lines will be raised and traffic signals will be removed. Inglewood will lose 128 trees, and communities in South Los Angeles about 265 trees, though the exact number has not yet been determined.
Normally I wouldn’t sweat over the removal of some trees, but this is quite disgusting. It once again raises questions about the choice of Los Angeles over Houston for a shuttle.
Surgery in weightlessness?
Surgery in weightlessness? Two doctors and an engineer are about to test equipment that might make it possible.
The idea actually has more significance for controlling bleeding during brain and spinal surgeries here on Earth.
Surgery in weightlessness? Two doctors and an engineer are about to test equipment that might make it possible.
The idea actually has more significance for controlling bleeding during brain and spinal surgeries here on Earth.
Another planet has been found in the habitable zone
Planets without end: Another planet has been found in the habitable zone.
Gliese 163c could have a size between 1.8 to 2.4 Earth radii, depending if it is composed mostly of rock or water, respectively. It receives on average 40% more light from its parent star than Earth from the Sun, making it hotter. In comparison, Venus receives 90% more light from the Sun than Earth. We do not know the properties of the atmosphere of Gliese 163c but, if we assume that it is a scaled up version of Earth’s atmosphere, then its surface temperature might be around 60°C [140°F]. Most complex life on Earth (plants, animals, and even humans) are not able to survive at temperatures above 50°C [122°F], however, plenty of extremophilic microbial life forms can thrive at those temperatures or higher.
Planets without end: Another planet has been found in the habitable zone.
Gliese 163c could have a size between 1.8 to 2.4 Earth radii, depending if it is composed mostly of rock or water, respectively. It receives on average 40% more light from its parent star than Earth from the Sun, making it hotter. In comparison, Venus receives 90% more light from the Sun than Earth. We do not know the properties of the atmosphere of Gliese 163c but, if we assume that it is a scaled up version of Earth’s atmosphere, then its surface temperature might be around 60°C [140°F]. Most complex life on Earth (plants, animals, and even humans) are not able to survive at temperatures above 50°C [122°F], however, plenty of extremophilic microbial life forms can thrive at those temperatures or higher.