From the press release: From the moment he is handed a possibility of makng the first alien contact, Saunders Maxwell decides he will do it, even if doing so takes him through hell and back.
Unfortunately, that is exactly where that journey takes him.
The vision that Zimmerman paints of vibrant human colonies on the Moon, Mars, the asteroids, and beyond, indomitably fighting the harsh lifeless environment of space to build new societies, captures perfectly the emerging space race we see today.
He also captures in Pioneer the heart of the human spirit, willing to push forward no matter the odds, no matter the cost. It is that spirit that will make the exploration of the heavens possible, forever, into the never-ending future.
Available everywhere for $3.99 (before discount) at amazon, Barnes & Noble, all ebook vendors, or direct from the ebook publisher, ebookit.
Scroll down for today's updates.
If you do this in an email, I hate you
EPA’s Own Estimates Say Greenhouse Gas Regs Could ‘Slow Construction Nationwide for Years’ — and Take a Century to Reduce Temperature 0.0015 Degrees
The EPA itself believes that its effort to regulate carbon dioxide under its Prevention of Significant Deterioration program could “slow construction nationwide for years”. And what would this accomplish? Global temperatures would be reduced a whopping 0.0015 degrees! Key quote:
“It is clear throughout the country, PSD (Prevention of Significant Deterioration) permit issuance would be unable to keep up with the flood of incoming applications, resulting in delays, at the outset, that would be at least a decade or longer, and that would only grow worse over time as each year, the number of new permit applications would exceed permitting authority resources for that year.”
The EPA itself believes that its effort to regulate carbon dioxide under its Prevention of Significant Deterioration program could “slow construction nationwide for years”. And what would this accomplish? Global temperatures would be reduced a whopping 0.0015 degrees! Key quote:
“It is clear throughout the country, PSD (Prevention of Significant Deterioration) permit issuance would be unable to keep up with the flood of incoming applications, resulting in delays, at the outset, that would be at least a decade or longer, and that would only grow worse over time as each year, the number of new permit applications would exceed permitting authority resources for that year.”
Leaving Earth: Space Stations, Rival Superpowers, and the Quest for Interplanetary Travel, is now available as an ebook everywhere for only $3.99 (before discount) at amazon, Barnes & Noble, all ebook vendors, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit.
A handful of autographed, hardback copies are still available, directly from the author, for $50, plus $5 shipping. To buy one, please send a $55 check, payable to Robert Zimmerman, to
Behind The Black, c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
Winner of the 2003 Eugene M. Emme Award of the American Astronautical Society.
"Leaving Earth is one of the best and certainly the most comprehensive summary of our drive into space that I have ever read. It will be invaluable to future scholars because it will tell them how the next chapter of human history opened." -- Arthur C. Clarke
Treasury Inspector General to Investigate White House Disclosure of Confidential Taxpayer Data of Political Opponent
The headline says it all: “Treasury Inspector General to investigate White House disclosure of confidential taxpayer data of political opponent.”
The headline says it all: “Treasury Inspector General to investigate White House disclosure of confidential taxpayer data of political opponent.”
Four Chinese lunar landers?
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Hayabusa brought back extraterrestrial matter
Reports today in the Japanese press say that the Hayabusa return capsule did capture minute particles of extraterrestrial material.
Reports today in the Japanese press say that the Hayabusa return capsule did capture minute particles of extraterrestrial material.
Muppets: “I don’t want to live on the Moon”
Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, and includes a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, Barnes & Noble, all ebook vendors, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs." --San Antonio Express-News
13 Stunning Photos From 10-Year Sea Census
Gallup’s astonishing numbers
I can see November from my house. New numbers from Gallup are “astonishing.” To quote Michael Barone today in the Washington Examiner: “These two numbers, if translated into popular votes in the 435 congressional districts, suggest huge gains for Republicans and a Republican House majority the likes of which we have not seen since the election cycles of 1946 or even 1928.”
I can see November from my house. New numbers from Gallup are “astonishing.” To quote Michael Barone today in the Washington Examiner: “These two numbers, if translated into popular votes in the 435 congressional districts, suggest huge gains for Republicans and a Republican House majority the likes of which we have not seen since the election cycles of 1946 or even 1928.”
Murder for the sake of climate idealogy
Bumped. Scroll down to see the update.
This video has been making the rounds on the web. Though I warn you that is somewhat graphic, it is essential that you watch it.
When I first saw this about a week ago, I didn’t quite know what to make of it. It was so vile and offensive I could not believe that it was legitimate. It obviously wants to pay some homage to Monty Python, but even Monty Python never went this far. How could anyone possibly think that killing small children in the name of environmentalism was in any way funny? And how could anyone ever believe that this video would persuade anyone to go along with the 1010 environmental campaign? If anything, the video does an excellent job of discrediting this organization and everyone involved with it.
Thus, despite what some bloggers were saying, I held back commenting, just to make sure the video was real and not a terrible prank meant to sabotage.
There is now no reason to hold back. Late last week, the 1010 organization itself issued an apology, admitting that this video was their handiwork. Before I continue, I think it is worthwhile for you to also read their apology, in all its venal glory. In many ways, it condemns them and their allies far more than the video did:
Sorry.
Today we put up a mini-movie about 10:10 and climate change called “No Pressure”.
With climate change becoming increasingly threatening, and decreasingly talked about in the media, we wanted to find a way to bring this critical issue back into the headlines whilst making people laugh. We were therefore delighted when Britain’s leading comedy writer, Richard Curtis — writer of Blackadder, Four Weddings, Notting Hill and many others — agreed to write a short film for the 10:10 campaign. Many people found the resulting film extremely funny, but unfortunately some didn’t and we sincerely apologise to anybody we have offended.
As a result of these concerns we’ve taken it off our website. We won’t be making any attempt to censor or remove other versions currently in circulation on the internet.
We’d like to thank the 50+ film professionals and 40+ actors and extras and who gave their time and equipment to the film for free. We greatly value your contributions and the tremendous enthusiasm and professionalism you brought to the project.
At 10:10 we’re all about trying new and creative ways of getting people to take action on climate change. Unfortunately in this instance we missed the mark. Oh well, we live and learn.
Onwards and upwards,
Franny, Lizzie, Eugenie and the whole 10:10 team
What does this apology tell us? First, they not only thought that killing children in the name of environmentalism was “funny”, they thought it was “extremely funny.”
Second, they don’t think they did anything wrong. They are merely sorry that some of you are offended. For everyone else, the video was peachy keen and they therefore make it available to the world for as many people to see as possible.
Third, they see no point in trying to persuade anyone to their point of view. They are absolutely sure that they are right, with a certainty that is, for me, quite disturbing.
To put it another way, this film was their movement’s version of a wet dream, a fantasy showing us all exactly what they wish they could do to anyone who does not agree with them. Worse, they are certain that most people agree with them, and will also laugh uproariously at the sight of environmentalists murdering their foolish and wrong-headed opponents, one by one.
As I wrote recently, events like this prove that protecting the climate and environment has nothing to do with the goals of this movement. Instead, what they want is power. And with 1010’s video, they have shown us quite vividly what they will do, once they have that power.
I think it worthwhile to remind everyone what happens when such certainty gets wedded to power. The results are quite horrible.
“In the end, the words were said by Oliver Cromwell, ‘I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken.'”
Update: The director of 10:10 UK, Eugenie Harvey, has issued a new apology. According to the Harvey, “We are going to investigate what happened, review our processes and procedures, and share the results with our partners.” Gee, considering that Harvey was one of the signatories to the first apology I would have thought she knew what happened to begin with. Why does she need an investigation? Is she looking for someone to take the rap?
There is a reason for this new apology, however. It seems that at least one financial donor is backing away from the 10:10 organization. The first apology simply failed to spin the story well enough.
Second Update: The original video was pulled by 10:10 several years ago, and is hard to find in its original form. I have now posted a version that has been edited only slightly by an environmentalist. He didn’t really change anything, but merely inserted some preachy text explaining why it is justified to murder little children for the sake of the environmental cause.
WISE telescope moves into final phase of mission
Having run out hydrogen coolant for its infrared cameras and with only a few more months of usable life, the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) has shifted its work from deep space astronomy to completing its last sweep of the solar system in a search for asteroids and comets.
Update: At a press conference going on right now at the 42nd meeting of the AAS Division for Planetary Sciences, WISE scientists note that the mission extension will continue for one month. If that month is successful, the mission will continue until the end of January 2011 in order to complete its solar system sweep. After this the spacecraft will be put in hibernation, available for future work.
Summary of solar system results so far:
- 33,576 asteroids discovered of which 120 were Near Earth Asteroids.
- 19 new comets.
Soyuz capsule shipping container damaged
The container used to ship a Soyuz capsule to Baikonur was damaged in transport. No word yet on the condition of the capsule, which was scheduled for a December launch to ISS.
The container used to ship a Soyuz capsule to Baikonur was damaged in transport. No word yet on the condition of the capsule, which was scheduled for a December launch to ISS.
Bolden in Saudia Arabia
A report on NASA administrator Charles Bolden’s visit this past weekend in Saudia Arabia. Another perspective of his visit can be found here. Note that in either case, it appears that Bolden considers “international cooperation a cornerstone” of NASA’s mission.
A report on NASA administrator Charles Bolden’s visit this past weekend in Saudia Arabia. Another perspective of his visit can be found here. Note that in either case, it appears that Bolden considers “international cooperation a cornerstone” of NASA’s mission.
Wilders facing prison for speech
Freedom of speech alert! Dutch politician Geert Wilders faces a year in prison, merely because of things he said.
Freedom of speech alert! Dutch politician Geert Wilders faces a year in prison, merely because of things he said.
Solar panels return to the White House
Space tourism from the island of Curaçao in the Netherlands Antilles
The space tourism company Xcor today signed a deal to fly suborbital flights as soon as 2014 from the island of Curaçao in the Netherlands Antilles.
The space tourism company Xcor today signed a deal to fly suborbital flights as soon as 2014 from the island of Curaçao in the Netherlands Antilles.
NASA technology chief: We’ll decide what rocket we want to build
NASA’s technology chief said today that despite the specific demands Congress included in its authorization bill, NASA will make its own decision on the kind of heavy-lift rocket it wants to build.
NASA’s technology chief said today that despite the specific demands Congress included in its authorization bill, NASA will make its own decision on the kind of heavy-lift rocket it wants to build.
The ruins above Machu Picchu
Russian meteorologists predict very cold winter
Archeologists discover a sealed stone age home
Sputnik
It’s okay to kill suffering children says UK journalist
Seems to be a lot of this kind of genocidal thought going around: A columnist for the Independent in Great Britain admitted in an October 4th interview that she considers it a kind act to kill a suffering child. Key quote:
“[I] think that if I were a mother of a suffering child, I would be the first to want I mean a deeply suffering child I would be the first one to put a pillow over its face, as I would with any suffering thing and I think the difference is that my feeling of horror, suffering is many greater than my feeling of getting rid of a couple of cells because suffering can go on for years,” Ironside said.
Seems to be a lot of this kind of genocidal thought going around: A columnist for the Independent in Great Britain admitted in an October 4th interview that she considers it a kind act to kill a suffering child. Key quote:
“[I] think that if I were a mother of a suffering child, I would be the first to want I mean a deeply suffering child I would be the first one to put a pillow over its face, as I would with any suffering thing and I think the difference is that my feeling of horror, suffering is many greater than my feeling of getting rid of a couple of cells because suffering can go on for years,” Ironside said.
Lunar X Prize award set at $30 million
The Lunar X Prize award for putting the first privately funded robot on the Moon by 2012 is now set at $30 million.
The Lunar X Prize award for putting the first privately funded robot on the Moon by 2012 is now set at $30 million.
NASA Confusion Reverberates Throughout Globe
The confusion at NASA is reverberating throughout the globe. Didn’t someone predict this would happen? More than once?
The confusion at NASA is reverberating throughout the globe. Didn’t someone predict this would happen? More than once?
Lutetia covered with deep regolith
Using the data gathered by Rosetta in its fly-by of the asteroid Lutetia in July, scientists have concluded that the 60 mile diameter asteroid is covered with a deep layer of dusty debris, as much as 2000 feet deep.
Using the data gathered by Rosetta in its fly-by of the asteroid Lutetia in July, scientists have concluded that the 60 mile diameter asteroid is covered with a deep layer of dusty debris, as much as 2000 feet deep.
Liquid on Titan
The Cassini image below, released today at the 42nd meeting of the AAS Division for Planetary Sciences, shows light reflecting off a lake on Titan’s northern hemisphere. According to the scientists who took the image, this is the first definitive confirmation of the presence of liquid in those lakes.
The wind-blown dunes of Mars
The HiRise Camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has released some wonderful new pictures, showing what are called barchan dunes on Mars.
Barchans are crescent-shaped, with the horns of the crescents pointing downwind. One barchan is visible in the upper part of the image, with the Southeast (lower right) horns longer than the other. This trend, along with the position of the steep face of the dune on the South side, indicates that the predominant winds which formed the dunes came from the North.
There are a lot more great images on the websites above.
Rocket pieces fall in China
The second Chinese probe to the Moon did more than take off on Friday. It also rained pieces of metal down on a Chinese villages in Suichuan County, Jiangxi, China.
The second Chinese probe to the Moon did more than take off on Friday. It also rained pieces of metal down on a Chinese villages in Suichuan County, Jiangxi, China.
Saudia Arabia and NASA sign two deals
NASA diplomacy marches on! The visit to Saudia Arabia this past weekend by NASA administrator Charles Bolden has born fruit with the signing of two agreements to extend “scientific cooperation and exchange of research between” the two countries.
NASA diplomacy marches on! The visit to Saudia Arabia this past weekend by NASA administrator Charles Bolden has born fruit with the signing of two agreements to extend “scientific cooperation and exchange of research between” the two countries.
NASA privacy suit to go to Supreme Court
A suit by NASA contractors over what they think is the agency’s over intrusive efforts to do background checks on their private lives goes to the Supreme Court.
A suit by NASA contractors over what they think is the agency’s over intrusive efforts to do background checks on their private lives goes to the Supreme Court.
Remembering Willie Ley
Remembering Willie Ley. He never flew in space, and died just weeks before the Apollo 11 landing. Yet he probably did as much if not more to make it happen than any other man.
Remembering Willie Ley. He never flew in space, and died just weeks before the Apollo 11 landing. Yet he probably did as much if not more to make it happen than any other man.