Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
Engineering the world’s largest telescope
NASA needs billions to get Lockheed Martin’s Orion into space
And NASA thinks it can compete with SpaceX or Orbital Sciences? The agency is asking for billions more to build the Orion capsule.
And NASA thinks it can compete with SpaceX or Orbital Sciences? The agency is asking for billions more to build the Orion capsule.
Looking for a missing poster sized Lunar Orbiter “Earthrise” image from 1966
Keith Cowing is trying to locate a missing spectacular blow-up poster of the Lunar Orbiter “Earthrise” image from 1966, shown here.
Keith Cowing is trying to locate a missing spectacular blow-up poster of the Lunar Orbiter “Earthrise” image from 1966, shown here.
Astronaut Tim Kopra, member of next shuttle crew, injured in bike mishap
The lead spacewalker for the next shuttle mission, the long-delayed last flight of Discovery, has apparently broken his hip in a bike accident. Key quote:
NASA does not train backup crews and a replacement, even a recently flown veteran, would need time to rehearse spacewalk scenarios and receive mission-specific training for Discovery’s flight. How long that might take, if required, and what impact it might have on the shuttle’s launch date is not yet known.
The lead spacewalker for the next shuttle mission, the long-delayed last flight of Discovery, has apparently broken his hip in a bike accident. Key quote:
NASA does not train backup crews and a replacement, even a recently flown veteran, would need time to rehearse spacewalk scenarios and receive mission-specific training for Discovery’s flight. How long that might take, if required, and what impact it might have on the shuttle’s launch date is not yet known.
Climate of hate
Want to know who is spreading hateful political rhetoric? Check out Climate of Hate.
Want to know who is spreading hateful political rhetoric? Check out Climate of Hate.
What does it take to end a political career?
What does it take to end a political career?
What does it take to end a political career?
Shooting rampage victim arrested at ABC-TV town hall meeting
Finally a response: J. Eric Fuller, the Tucson shooting victim (also a Democrat party campaigner) who blamed Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, and Sharron Angle for the shooting was arrested today at an ABC-TV town hall meeting when he threatened the founder of the Tucson Tea Party. Key quote:
When Tucson Tea Party founder Trent Humphries rose to suggest that any conversation about gun control should be put off until after the funerals for all the victims, witnesses say Fuller became agitated. Two told KGUN9 News that finally, Fuller took a picture of Humphries, and said, “You’re dead.” . . . A Pima County Sheriff’s spokesman told KGUN9 News that the department has charged Fuller with one count of threats and intimidation, and said they plan to charge him with at least one count of disorderly conduct.
Finally a response: J. Eric Fuller, the Tucson shooting victim (also a Democrat party campaigner) who blamed Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, and Sharron Angle for the shooting was arrested today at an ABC-TV town hall meeting when he threatened the founder of the Tucson Tea Party. Key quote:
When Tucson Tea Party founder Trent Humphries rose to suggest that any conversation about gun control should be put off until after the funerals for all the victims, witnesses say Fuller became agitated. Two told KGUN9 News that finally, Fuller took a picture of Humphries, and said, “You’re dead.” . . . A Pima County Sheriff’s spokesman told KGUN9 News that the department has charged Fuller with one count of threats and intimidation, and said they plan to charge him with at least one count of disorderly conduct.
The sun was blank today
For today, and today only, the Sun was blank. This blankness ended, however, when a sunspot rotated into view from the far side.
As I asked the last time the Sun was blank in December, will this be the last blank day of the just-ended but very prolonged solar minimum?
For today, and today only, the Sun was blank. This blankness ended, however, when a sunspot rotated into view from the far side.
As I asked the last time the Sun was blank in December, will this be the last blank day of the just-ended but very prolonged solar minimum?
More battles in space war
More battles in the space war over NASA:
- Bill Nelson blasts NASA’s claim that it needs more time and money to build the program-formerly-called-Constellation.
- The NASA inspector general has urged Congress to stop wasting money on the program-formerly-called-Constellation (which NASA is still required to build because of legal language inserted in the 2010 budget appropriations bill, passed in late 2009).
- HEFT, Lies and Videotape. Paul Spudis lays into NASA over the entire crazy situation.
More battles in the space war over NASA:
- Bill Nelson blasts NASA’s claim that it needs more time and money to build the program-formerly-called-Constellation.
- The NASA inspector general has urged Congress to stop wasting money on the program-formerly-called-Constellation (which NASA is still required to build because of legal language inserted in the 2010 budget appropriations bill, passed in late 2009).
- HEFT, Lies and Videotape. Paul Spudis lays into NASA over the entire crazy situation.
Tucson shooting victim blames Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Sharron Angle
How the hell is this toning down the rhetoric? One of the Tucson shooting victims today accused Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Sharron Angle, of causing the shootings on Saturday.
And why isn’t the press criticizing this Democrat campaign official for this blatant slander?
How the hell is this toning down the rhetoric? One of the Tucson shooting victims today accused Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Sharron Angle, of causing the shootings on Saturday.
And why isn’t the press criticizing this Democrat campaign official for this blatant slander?
NASA Names Backup Commander for Mark Kelly’s Shuttle Mission
NASA has named a backup to Endeavour’s commander Mark Kelly for the shuttle’s last flight, now set for launch on April 19. This is “to facilitate training for crew and support teams,” while Kelly focuses on the recovery of his wife, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
NASA has named a backup to Endeavour’s commander Mark Kelly for the shuttle’s last flight, now set for launch on April 19. This is “to facilitate training for crew and support teams,” while Kelly focuses on the recovery of his wife, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
NPR Launches Offensive Against Congressman Trying to Cut Its Funding
The squealing is getting louder: NPR has launched an offensive against the congressman who wants to cut its funding.
The squealing is getting louder: NPR has launched an offensive against the congressman who wants to cut its funding.
Vulture arrested by Saudis Was Third Israeli Bird Held Since 1975
The vulture that was arrested by Saudi Arabia for spying was actually the third Israeli bird held since 1975 by Muslim countries.
The vulture that was arrested by Saudi Arabia for spying was actually the third Israeli bird held since 1975 by Muslim countries.
Almost three quarters of the public opposes raising the country’s debt limit
I wish Congress understood this: Almost three quarters of the public opposes raising the country’s debt limit.
I wish Congress understood this: Almost three quarters of the public opposes raising the country’s debt limit.
New TSA Scanner Procedure Is Dumb in a New Way
The new TSA scanner procedure: Dumb in a new way. The quote below actually isn’t the point of the article (which notes other idiotic things about TSA procedures), but I found it telling nonetheless:
For the most part, it has been possible to avoid the scanners just by picking the right line to stand in, which I assume means that the government has determined that terrorists have poor line-picking skills.
The new TSA scanner procedure: Dumb in a new way. The quote below actually isn’t the point of the article (which notes other idiotic things about TSA procedures), but I found it telling nonetheless:
For the most part, it has been possible to avoid the scanners just by picking the right line to stand in, which I assume means that the government has determined that terrorists have poor line-picking skills.
TSA Pays Off In Breast Exposure Suit
TSA pays off for exposing a woman’s breasts during security clearance.
We need more such lawsuits against the TSA.
TSA pays off for exposing a woman’s breasts during security clearance.
We need more such lawsuits against the TSA.
Half the states now suing the federal government over Obamacare
Repeal the damn bill! Half the states are now suing the federal government over Obamacare.
Repeal the damn bill! Half the states are now suing the federal government over Obamacare.
Computer to take on Jeopardy! champs for $1 million
A computer is going to take on two Jeopardy! champs for $1 million. Two comments from this story:
The computer was finally defeated when it said “Windows has finished updating your computer. Rebooting in 14 seconds.”
and
“Just what do you think you’re doing, Dave?”
A computer is going to take on two Jeopardy! champs for $1 million. Two comments from this story:
The computer was finally defeated when it said “Windows has finished updating your computer. Rebooting in 14 seconds.”
and
“Just what do you think you’re doing, Dave?”
They can’t go anywhere without me and I wasn’t going anywhere without you
Death Threats Against Sarah Palin at ‘Unprecedented Level,’ Aides Say
This has got to stop: The death threats against Sarah Palin are at an “unprecedented level,” according to her aides.
This has got to stop: The death threats against Sarah Palin are at an “unprecedented level,” according to her aides.
Fifteen violent hateful quotes
Vicious liberal hate: Fifteen quotes. (Several of these have been noted in previous posts, but most have not.)
Vicious liberal hate: Fifteen quotes. (Several of these have been noted in previous posts, but most have not.)
Penguin tracking bands do harm
The bands that scientists attach to penguins to track them actually do harm. The data also suggests that certain climate research might also be skewed because of this. Key quote:
Overall, the team found, bands were bad for penguins. Banded penguins had a 16% lower survival rate than unbanded birds over the 10 years, the researchers report online today in Nature. Banded birds also arrived later at the breeding grounds and took longer trips to forage for food. As a result, they produced 39% fewer chicks. . . . [The researcher noted] that his team’s results suggest that research using banded penguins may be biased. For example, he says, several high-profile studies have used banded penguins to investigate the impact of climate change on the birds. The findings of those studies aren’t necessarily wrong, but the numbers need to be reconsidered, he says.
The bands that scientists attach to penguins to track them actually do harm. The data also suggests that certain climate research might also be skewed because of this. Key quote:
Overall, the team found, bands were bad for penguins. Banded penguins had a 16% lower survival rate than unbanded birds over the 10 years, the researchers report online today in Nature. Banded birds also arrived later at the breeding grounds and took longer trips to forage for food. As a result, they produced 39% fewer chicks. . . . [The researcher noted] that his team’s results suggest that research using banded penguins may be biased. For example, he says, several high-profile studies have used banded penguins to investigate the impact of climate change on the birds. The findings of those studies aren’t necessarily wrong, but the numbers need to be reconsidered, he says.
A new deal to fly tourists to ISS using Russian Soyuz capsules
A new deal has been announced to fly tourists to ISS using Russian Soyuz capsules. According the arrangement between Space Adventures and the Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation (FSA) and Rocket Space Corporation Energia (RSC Energia), three seats will be made available on Soyuz spacecraft bound for the International Space Station (ISS), beginning in 2013.
These seats will be made available through the increase of Soyuz production, from four to five spacecraft per year. Each flight will be short duration, approximately 10 days, and will contribute to the increase of launch capacity to the ISS.
A new deal has been announced to fly tourists to ISS using Russian Soyuz capsules. According the arrangement between Space Adventures and the Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation (FSA) and Rocket Space Corporation Energia (RSC Energia), three seats will be made available on Soyuz spacecraft bound for the International Space Station (ISS), beginning in 2013.
These seats will be made available through the increase of Soyuz production, from four to five spacecraft per year. Each flight will be short duration, approximately 10 days, and will contribute to the increase of launch capacity to the ISS.
Facebook Group “I Hate It When I Wake Up & Sarah Palin Is Still Alive” Passes 2,000 Members
Is this an example of toning down the rhetoric? The Facebook Group “I Hate It When I Wake Up & Sarah Palin Is Still Alive” has more than 2,000 members.
So you have no doubt about the ugly tone of this Facebook group, here is a screen capture from the page. Note the desire to kill Palin (and Bush) in several images.
Is this an example of toning down the rhetoric? The Facebook Group “I Hate It When I Wake Up & Sarah Palin Is Still Alive” has more than 2,000 members.
So you have no doubt about the ugly tone of this Facebook group, here is a screen capture from the page. Note the desire to kill Palin (and Bush) in several images.
Washington’s top five most ridiculous reactions to the Arizona shooting
Washington’s five most ridiculous reactions to the Arizona shooting.
Washington’s five most ridiculous reactions to the Arizona shooting.
Which Democrats objected to the use of mass murder as a vehicle for disseminating propaganda?
Which Democrats objected to the use of mass murder as a vehicle for disseminating propaganda?
Sadly, not very many.
Which Democrats objected to the use of mass murder as a vehicle for disseminating propaganda?
Sadly, not very many.
Treasury Secretary Geithner says in letter to Congress US may go into default
The money is not there, and Treasury Secretary Geithner agrees. On January 6 he wrote a letter to Congress, stating that the US will go into default if the debt ceiling is not raised.
The money is not there, and Treasury Secretary Geithner agrees. On January 6 he wrote a letter to Congress, stating that the US will go into default if the debt ceiling is not raised.
NASA submits its Heavy Lift rocket proposal to Congress
NASA has submitted its Heavy Lift rocket proposal to Congress. However, NASA also noted bluntly that:
“Neither Reference Vehicle Design currently fits the projected budget profiles nor schedule goals outlined in the Authorization Act.”
In other words, they can’t build it for the money or in the timeframe they’ve been given by Congress.
Didn’t someone say this already? Several times?
NASA has submitted its Heavy Lift rocket proposal to Congress. However, NASA also noted bluntly that:
“Neither Reference Vehicle Design currently fits the projected budget profiles nor schedule goals outlined in the Authorization Act.”
In other words, they can’t build it for the money or in the timeframe they’ve been given by Congress.
Didn’t someone say this already? Several times?
NASA sets date for Discovery’s launch, Feb 24, confident tank problems are solved
NASA, confident that they have pinned down the cause of the cracks on the external tank, has set February 24 as the date for Discovery’s launch.
NASA, confident that they have pinned down the cause of the cracks on the external tank, has set February 24 as the date for Discovery’s launch.
Russia allocates $3.8 bln for space programs in 2011
The competition moves forward: Russia allocates $3.8 billion for its space programs in 2011.
The competition moves forward: Russia allocates $3.8 billion for its space programs in 2011.