Cameron has safely returned to the surface
James Cameron has safely returned to the surface after completing the world’s deepest solo dive.
James Cameron has safely returned to the surface after completing the world’s deepest solo dive.
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
Cameron has safely returned to the surface
Boeing vs Boeing.
The story describes how Boeing is considering upgrading the X-37B to become a manned ferry to ISS, thus putting it in direct competition with the company’s other manned capsule, the CST-100.
At the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’s Space 2011 conference in November, Boeing’s Arthur Grantz revealed that the company is studying a new derivative of the Boeing/USAF X-37B. The new X-37C would be 65-80% larger than the current B version. Launched by an Atlas V rocket, X-37C could carry pressurized or unpressurized cargo or 5-6 astronauts. Grantz is chief engineer in charge of X-37 at the Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems Experimental Systems Group .
Hat tip to Clark Lindsey.
The story describes how Boeing is considering upgrading the X-37B to become a manned ferry to ISS, thus putting it in direct competition with the company’s other manned capsule, the CST-100.
At the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’s Space 2011 conference in November, Boeing’s Arthur Grantz revealed that the company is studying a new derivative of the Boeing/USAF X-37B. The new X-37C would be 65-80% larger than the current B version. Launched by an Atlas V rocket, X-37C could carry pressurized or unpressurized cargo or 5-6 astronauts. Grantz is chief engineer in charge of X-37 at the Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems Experimental Systems Group .
Hat tip to Clark Lindsey.
James Cameron has set a new record for the deepest solo dive, a depth of 35,756 feet.1James Cameron has set a new record for the deepest solo dive, a depth of 35,756 feet.
James Cameron has set a new record for the deepest solo dive, a depth of 35,756 feet.
And he is still down there at this moment.
Hovering in what he’s called a vertical torpedo, Cameron is likely collecting data, specimens, and imagery unthinkable in 1960, when the only other explorers to reach Challenger Deep returned after seeing little more than the silt stirred up by their bathyscaphe. After as long as six hours in the trench, Cameron—best known for creating fictional worlds on film (Avatar, Titanic, The Abyss)—is to jettison steel weights attached to the sub and shoot back to the surface. Meanwhile, the expedition’s scientific support team awaits his return aboard the research ships Mermaid Sapphire and Barakuda, 7 miles (11 kilometers) up.
James Cameron has set a new record for the deepest solo dive, a depth of 35,756 feet.
And he is still down there at this moment.
Hovering in what he’s called a vertical torpedo, Cameron is likely collecting data, specimens, and imagery unthinkable in 1960, when the only other explorers to reach Challenger Deep returned after seeing little more than the silt stirred up by their bathyscaphe. After as long as six hours in the trench, Cameron—best known for creating fictional worlds on film (Avatar, Titanic, The Abyss)—is to jettison steel weights attached to the sub and shoot back to the surface. Meanwhile, the expedition’s scientific support team awaits his return aboard the research ships Mermaid Sapphire and Barakuda, 7 miles (11 kilometers) up.
A new chemical analysis of lunar rocks from the Apollo missions has cast doubt on the theory that the Moon was formed when the Earth was hit by a Mars-sized object about 4.5 billion years ago.
The uncertainty of science: A new chemical analysis of lunar rocks from the Apollo missions has cast doubt on the consensus theory that the Moon was formed when the Earth was hit by a Mars-sized object about 4.5 billion years ago.
The uncertainty of science: A new chemical analysis of lunar rocks from the Apollo missions has cast doubt on the consensus theory that the Moon was formed when the Earth was hit by a Mars-sized object about 4.5 billion years ago.
The effort of a private company to salvage a communications satellite stranded in the wrong orbit has been rejected by the company that owns it. Instead, the satellite will be de-orbted today, buring up over the Pacific.
The effort of a private company to salvage a communications satellite stranded in the wrong orbit has been rejected by the company that owns it. Instead, the satellite will be de-orbted today, burning up over the Pacific.
The effort of a private company to salvage a communications satellite stranded in the wrong orbit has been rejected by the company that owns it. Instead, the satellite will be de-orbted today, burning up over the Pacific.
“‘Suddenly’ is about to show up.”
New research shows that the Medieval Warm Period was a global event, reaching all the way to Antarctica.
New research shows that the Medieval Warm Period was a global event, reaching all the way to Antarctica.
Pseudo-scientists and global warming activists like Phil Jones and Michael Mann had argued that the warming was local, limited to Europe and parts of North America. The new data proves them wrong. Instead, the evidence shows that in the recent past, before the input of human technology, the Earth’s climate has naturally varied on global scales by significant amounts. And the most likely known cause for the Medieval Warm Period (c1000) and the Little Ice Age (c1600) that followed appears to be related to the Sun.
New research shows that the Medieval Warm Period was a global event, reaching all the way to Antarctica.
Pseudo-scientists and global warming activists like Phil Jones and Michael Mann had argued that the warming was local, limited to Europe and parts of North America. The new data proves them wrong. Instead, the evidence shows that in the recent past, before the input of human technology, the Earth’s climate has naturally varied on global scales by significant amounts. And the most likely known cause for the Medieval Warm Period (c1000) and the Little Ice Age (c1600) that followed appears to be related to the Sun.
The four best legal arguments against Obamacare.
The four best legal arguments against Obamacare.
The fourth is probably the most devastating to Obamacare. No contract can be enforced if you are forced to sign it.
American contract law rests on the principle of mutual assent. If I hold a gun to your head and force you to sign a contract, no court of law will honor that document since I coerced you into signing it. Mutual assent must be present in order for a contract to be valid and binding.
Once again, we are skirting around that forgotten word called freedom. Obamacare has nothing to do with freedom. It requires participation, something that is fundamentally hostile to this country’s culture and law.
The four best legal arguments against Obamacare.
The fourth is probably the most devastating to Obamacare. No contract can be enforced if you are forced to sign it.
American contract law rests on the principle of mutual assent. If I hold a gun to your head and force you to sign a contract, no court of law will honor that document since I coerced you into signing it. Mutual assent must be present in order for a contract to be valid and binding.
Once again, we are skirting around that forgotten word called freedom. Obamacare has nothing to do with freedom. It requires participation, something that is fundamentally hostile to this country’s culture and law.
“This is a stunning power for an agency to arrogate to itself when there is absolutely no mention of it in the statute.”
The agency is the EPA, and the words were written by an Obama-appointed judge in her ruling that told the EPA it had no right to unilaterally cancel already approved permits.
As I’ve said, the law is such an inconvenient thing for this administration.
The agency is the EPA, and the words were written by an Obama-appointed judge in her ruling that told the EPA it had no right to unilaterally cancel already approved permits.
As I’ve said, the law is such an inconvenient thing for this administration.
Last night a piece of space junk missed ISS, but not by much.
Last night a piece of space junk missed ISS, but not by much.
The debris was only 8.7 miles from the station when it zipped by at about 16,000 miles per hour. That is very close, and had it hit, it would have done very significant damage.
The fragment was from an old Russian satellite, Cosmos 2251, that collided with an Iridium satellite in 2009, producing hundreds of fragments more than two inches across.
Last night a piece of space junk missed ISS, but not by much.
The debris was only 8.7 miles from the station when it zipped by at about 16,000 miles per hour. That is very close, and had it hit, it would have done very significant damage.
The fragment was from an old Russian satellite, Cosmos 2251, that collided with an Iridium satellite in 2009, producing hundreds of fragments more than two inches across.
A Japanese fishing boat, washed away in March by the tsunami, has been found floating about 150 nautical miles off the coast of British Columbia.
The first debris: A Japanese fishing boat, washed away in March by the tsunami, has been found floating about 150 nautical miles off the coast of British Columbia.
The first debris: A Japanese fishing boat, washed away in March by the tsunami, has been found floating about 150 nautical miles off the coast of British Columbia.
“We have to be prepared to go to jail.”
“We have to be prepared to go to jail. Are we prepared?”
The crowd responded with a boisterous, “Yes!”
“We have to be prepared to go to jail. Are we prepared?”
The crowd responded with a boisterous, “Yes!”
The six astronauts on ISS will take shelter in their Soyuz capsules tonight because a piece of space junk will to pass close to the station at around 2:30 am (Eastern).
The six astronauts on ISS will take shelter in the two Soyuz capsules tonight because a piece of space junk will to pass close to the station at around 2:30 am (Eastern).
The six astronauts on ISS will take shelter in the two Soyuz capsules tonight because a piece of space junk will to pass close to the station at around 2:30 am (Eastern).
Mysterious cloud spotted on Mars by amateur astronomers.
Mysterious cloud spotted on Mars by amateur astronomers.
Mysterious cloud spotted on Mars by amateur astronomers.
The story of the only man to escape from a North Korean prison camp.
The epic story of the only man to escape from a North Korean prison camp.
The epic story of the only man to escape from a North Korean prison camp.
Now we know: Jon Corzine gave “direct instructions” to illegally transfer customer funds to pay off MF Global’s debt.
Now we know: Jon Corzine gave “direct instructions” to illegally transfer customer funds to pay off MF Global’s debt.
In a different world behavior like this was called embezzlement. But Corzine is a Democrat and the go-to guy on economic matters for the Obama administration, which is why he still remains free with no criminal charges against him. Moreover, because he is so closely tied to the Obama administration we all know that any accusations or evidence against him must be racist.
Now we know: Jon Corzine gave “direct instructions” to illegally transfer customer funds to pay off MF Global’s debt.
In a different world behavior like this was called embezzlement. But Corzine is a Democrat and the go-to guy on economic matters for the Obama administration, which is why he still remains free with no criminal charges against him. Moreover, because he is so closely tied to the Obama administration we all know that any accusations or evidence against him must be racist.
Blasting away a mountaintop to look at the stars.
Blasting away a mountaintop to look at the stars.
Blasting away a mountaintop to look at the stars.
In discussions the last two days managers for the space programs of Europe and China began laying the groundwork for a Chinese docking at ISS.
In discussions the last two days, managers for the space programs of Europe and China began laying the groundwork for a Chinese docking at ISS.
The United States, which paid for and built the bulk of ISS, has no way of getting its own astronauts to the station. The United States at present also has no way to bring cargo up to the station.
The result: We no longer own our own space station. Though the U.S. has strict laws on the books to prevent the transfer of technology to the Chinese, restricting communications by government officials with China, the Europeans do not. And since they can send cargo to ISS while we cannot, they feel free to negotiation with the Chinese for the use of our space station. Moreover, the Russians I am sure will heartily endorse these negotiations.
And what can the U.S. government do? Nothing.
Instead of focusing on a solution to this situation, the members of Congress tasked with supervising NASA want NASA to build a giant heavy-lift rocket (SLS) to use with the Orion capsule, neither of which is designed to go to ISS. Moreover, neither will be capable of flying humans into space until 2021, one year after ISS is presently scheduled to be shut down. Even then a single flight will cost billions, which makes this system useless for resupplying ISS.
And people wonder why I consider these elected officials stupid. And if they aren’t stupid, they surely are irresponsible and incompetent, at least when it comes to the American space program.
In discussions the last two days, managers for the space programs of Europe and China began laying the groundwork for a Chinese docking at ISS.
The United States, which paid for and built the bulk of ISS, has no way of getting its own astronauts to the station. The United States at present also has no way to bring cargo up to the station.
The result: We no longer own our own space station. Though the U.S. has strict laws on the books to prevent the transfer of technology to the Chinese, restricting communications by government officials with China, the Europeans do not. And since they can send cargo to ISS while we cannot, they feel free to negotiation with the Chinese for the use of our space station. Moreover, the Russians I am sure will heartily endorse these negotiations.
And what can the U.S. government do? Nothing.
Instead of focusing on a solution to this situation, the members of Congress tasked with supervising NASA want NASA to build a giant heavy-lift rocket (SLS) to use with the Orion capsule, neither of which is designed to go to ISS. Moreover, neither will be capable of flying humans into space until 2021, one year after ISS is presently scheduled to be shut down. Even then a single flight will cost billions, which makes this system useless for resupplying ISS.
And people wonder why I consider these elected officials stupid. And if they aren’t stupid, they surely are irresponsible and incompetent, at least when it comes to the American space program.
“The only thing the Democrats misjudged about Obamacare was everything.”
“The only thing the Democrats misjudged about Obamacare was everything.”
And speaking of the Democrats political misjudgment: At noon today there will be demonstrations in 140 cities across the U.S. against the Obama administration’s contraception mandate, imposed under Obamacare.
“The only thing the Democrats misjudged about Obamacare was everything.”
And speaking of the Democrats political misjudgment: At noon today there will be demonstrations in 140 cities across the U.S. against the Obama administration’s contraception mandate, imposed under Obamacare.
Europe successfully launched its third unmanned freighter to ISS early this morning.
Europe successfully launched its third unmanned freighter to ISS early this morning.
The 13-ton cargo freighter is loaded with about 7.2 tons of supplies, including food, water, clothing, experiments and fuel for the space station, according to NASA. The unmanned ATV-3 is the heaviest load of cargo ever delivered to the station by a robotic spacecraft, ESA officials said in a statement.
Europe successfully launched its third unmanned freighter to ISS early this morning.
The 13-ton cargo freighter is loaded with about 7.2 tons of supplies, including food, water, clothing, experiments and fuel for the space station, according to NASA. The unmanned ATV-3 is the heaviest load of cargo ever delivered to the station by a robotic spacecraft, ESA officials said in a statement.
The reckoning
Today, it’s the Catholic Church whose free-exercise powers are under assault from this cascade of diktats sanctioned by — indeed required by — Obamacare. Tomorrow it will be the turn of other institutions of civil society that dare stand between unfettered state and atomized citizen.
Rarely has one law so exemplified the worst of the Leviathan state — grotesque cost, questionable constitutionality and arbitrary bureaucratic coerciveness. Little wonder the president barely mentioned it in his latest State of the Union address. He wants to be reelected. He’d rather talk about other things.
Remember, the power of the state is not always wielded by those you agree with. From the right or the left, fear that power, because it will come after you both when it finally has the ability to do so.
Today, it’s the Catholic Church whose free-exercise powers are under assault from this cascade of diktats sanctioned by — indeed required by — Obamacare. Tomorrow it will be the turn of other institutions of civil society that dare stand between unfettered state and atomized citizen.
Rarely has one law so exemplified the worst of the Leviathan state — grotesque cost, questionable constitutionality and arbitrary bureaucratic coerciveness. Little wonder the president barely mentioned it in his latest State of the Union address. He wants to be reelected. He’d rather talk about other things.
Remember, the power of the state is not always wielded by those you agree with. From the right or the left, fear that power, because it will come after you both when it finally has the ability to do so.
The Department of Energy has scrapped plans to build a neutrino experiment, costing $1.5 billion, in the now-closed Homestake gold mine in South Dakota.
A sign of the budgetary times: The Department of Energy has scrapped plans to build a neutrino experiment, costing $1.5 billion, in the now-closed Homestake gold mine in South Dakota.
A sign of the budgetary times: The Department of Energy has scrapped plans to build a neutrino experiment, costing $1.5 billion, in the now-closed Homestake gold mine in South Dakota.
X-37B: The Air Force admits it has a fleet of two, does not plan on increasing the size of that fleet, and has plans for many more missions for both spacecraft.
The X-37B: The Air Force admits it has a fleet of two, does not plan on increasing the size of that fleet, but also plans many more missions for both spacecraft.
The X-37B: The Air Force admits it has a fleet of two, does not plan on increasing the size of that fleet, but also plans many more missions for both spacecraft.
Astronomers think they have identified the star that went supernova last week in the galaxy M95 33 million light years away.
Astronomers think they have identified the star that went supernova last week in the galaxy M95 33 million light years away.
Astronomers think they have identified the star that went supernova last week in the galaxy M95 33 million light years away.
Chicago freedom: “Your first amendment rights can be terminated.”
Chicago freedom: “Your first amendment rights can be terminated.” With video.
Chicago freedom: “Your first amendment rights can be terminated.” With video.
Only after a Democrat crook wins an election do Democrats want him gone.
Only after a Democrat crook wins an election do Democrats suddenly want him gone.
Three days ago, Democrats in Illinois went to bat for Derrick Smith, the state lawmaker who got arrested after taking a bribe from an undercover federal agents. Party officials on Chicago’s West Side even held a rally urging voters to support him in Tuesday’s primary against a former Republican challenging him for the nomination. Democrats succeeded in getting Smith the nomination.
Now, of course, they want him gone.
Only after a Democrat crook wins an election do Democrats suddenly want him gone.
Three days ago, Democrats in Illinois went to bat for Derrick Smith, the state lawmaker who got arrested after taking a bribe from an undercover federal agents. Party officials on Chicago’s West Side even held a rally urging voters to support him in Tuesday’s primary against a former Republican challenging him for the nomination. Democrats succeeded in getting Smith the nomination.
Now, of course, they want him gone.
A new device that replaces the wheelchair.
The friends of Barack Obama.
What was then is now again.
An astronaut answers hundreds of questions about his flight to ISS on Reddit.
An astronaut answers hundreds of questions about his flight to ISS on Reddit.
An astronaut answers hundreds of questions about his flight to ISS on Reddit.