tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post8812492577489294698..comments2024-03-18T17:09:55.964-07:00Comments on CONTRARY BRIN: Space: Past and FutureDavid Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14465315130418506525noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-91628882066213403722018-10-30T02:36:32.269-07:002018-10-30T02:36:32.269-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.siskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07076079736141144027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-82628863939821242792018-10-26T08:25:26.107-07:002018-10-26T08:25:26.107-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.siskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07076079736141144027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-17147192667837663302015-05-26T18:59:00.549-07:002015-05-26T18:59:00.549-07:00The story I heard about the Hubble defective mirro...The story I heard about the Hubble defective mirror is that NASA did not want to give the contract to the company that had a couple of decades building military satellites. So the contract was awarded to a company that had never built an optical system. So one tech in Perkins Elmer put control rods in the polishing machine backwards, and no one caught it. <br /><b></b><br />I don't know that this story is true, but I do know that while I worked there, they were quite hostile to any suggestion that we use DOD software standards or practices. The shop I was in typically wrote 25% of the delivered code during acceptance testing.Tim McDermotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01193104467633573145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-36064181426783108972015-05-25T15:50:39.878-07:002015-05-25T15:50:39.878-07:00@Laurent Too late, puny weakling! I FEAR NO MAN!
...@Laurent Too late, puny weakling! I <a href="http://www.llapgoch.org.uk/" title="LLAP GOCH, an I-D-E-A, with CAPITALS." rel="nofollow">FEAR NO MAN!</a><br /><br />@PaulSB Cosmos is now Lightsail, which is <a href="http://www.planetary.org/blogs/jason-davis/2015/20150521-lightsail-update-systems-nominal.html" title="Spam links- raising the search index of a Planetary Science website near you." rel="nofollow">in a shakedown orbit</a> as we speak... er, type.<br /><br />This is a test run to check the deployment system works. The real mission is set for next year.Tony Fiskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14578160528746657971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-22733151567745457122015-05-25T14:49:12.539-07:002015-05-25T14:49:12.539-07:00@Paul SB: Cheer up. There is always next year. 8)
...@Paul SB: Cheer up. There is always next year. 8)<br /><br />If we do manage to fly a lot of small, inexpensive sails, I hope they take the time to do the engineering work before the science work. Show what can be done first. The science options will still be there for later, but good engineering tests helps to remove the fear of failure. We need so many people using them that it doesn't matter all that much if one gets all tangled up, ripped, or goes incommunicado. There is a lot of graduate level work that could be done with these things that will never be done by larger, science probes. Too risky and too long before the tree bears fruit.Alfred Differhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01170159981105973192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-19172843333150699922015-05-25T14:49:11.529-07:002015-05-25T14:49:11.529-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Alfred Differhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01170159981105973192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-70813009961252318312015-05-25T10:43:52.209-07:002015-05-25T10:43:52.209-07:00@PSB Is anyone else thinking that the Cosmos proj...@PSB <i>Is anyone else thinking that the Cosmos project and the Japanese solar sail from a couple years ago might revolutionize robotic missions throughout the Solar System? The sails would make for a far less costly propulsion system, which would make a swarm of microprobes an inexpensive option, and perhaps could be used to install elements of a huge telescope project like the one at the end of Existence. </i><br /><br />Most enthusiastically, yes. See this blog posting and the comments.<br />http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=33194<br /><br />It has been a long time coming, but I think the cubesat platform and much smaller sails will jump start this technology. There are a lot of ideas out there, and the Planetary Society's proof of concept for small sails married to a cubesat could act as a driver.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Alex Tolleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01556422553154817988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-3304006600340714782015-05-25T10:36:10.340-07:002015-05-25T10:36:10.340-07:00Laurent,
As Robin Williams might have said way bac...Laurent,<br />As Robin Williams might have said way back in the 70s: "Humor! Ar Ar!"<br /><br />I'm sure a whole lot of us can name that reference. <br /><br />If I lost 180 lbs, there wouldn't be enough left to type...<br /><br />Is anyone else thinking that the Cosmos project and the Japanese solar sail from a couple years ago might revolutionize robotic missions throughout the Solar System? The sails would make for a far less costly propulsion system, which would make a swarm of microprobes an inexpensive option, and perhaps could be used to install elements of a huge telescope project like the one at the end of Existence. Just getting up a little enthusiasm, here, at a difficult time of year for teachers.Paul SBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-56804287072825728952015-05-25T09:53:35.674-07:002015-05-25T09:53:35.674-07:00"This forum has been incredibly free from spa..."<i>This forum has been incredibly free from spammers</i>"<br /><br />I lost 180 pounds in ten months.<br />For $19,95 plus taxes <b>YOU</b> can learn my methods that would totally be emulated everywhere if the dieticians' lobby wasn't so busy conspiring against <b>Me</b>Laurent Weppenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-8576249406805342092015-05-25T06:59:54.382-07:002015-05-25T06:59:54.382-07:00OT- Transparency. Starting to analyze police body...OT- Transparency. Starting to analyze police body scan data to pick out problem officers.<br /><br />http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27587-inside-obamas-plan-to-use-open-data-to-curb-police-brutality.htmlAlex Tolleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01556422553154817988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-42497139233401282622015-05-25T06:49:11.313-07:002015-05-25T06:49:11.313-07:00It would be good to have you comment on Paul Krugm...It would be good to have you comment on Paul Krugman's NYT column this morning.Jim Bacahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14019944863771287149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-779878326372150222015-05-25T04:23:51.806-07:002015-05-25T04:23:51.806-07:00It's possible to email the spamming company an...It's possible to email the spamming company and make certain medieval and personal vows.Jumperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11794110173836133321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-62558985868468560702015-05-25T03:19:02.405-07:002015-05-25T03:19:02.405-07:00This forum has been incredibly free from spammers
...This forum has been incredibly free from spammers<br /><br />I'm an Admin at DIYElectric Car <br />And I delete/ban about 20 pests a day<br /><br />Mostly for skin care and fitness junk<br />(maybe that says something about people who build their own cars)<br /><br />Duncan Cairncrossnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-45581802013857130332015-05-25T02:45:32.367-07:002015-05-25T02:45:32.367-07:00Either that, or post masses of links to competing ...Either that, or post masses of links to competing products.<br /><br />...nah! Delete.Tony Fiskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14578160528746657971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-75064169135992918262015-05-25T01:44:23.571-07:002015-05-25T01:44:23.571-07:00David,
It is worth deleting the spam. Even though ...David,<br />It is worth deleting the spam. Even though very few readers here will click on a spam link, that's not why they post.<br /><br />It's about manipulating Google's page-rank algorithm, by having more sites linking to their client's site, it makes it more likely that their client's site will appear on the first page of search results.Paul451https://www.blogger.com/profile/12119086761190994938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-3356195283428842772015-05-24T23:51:02.169-07:002015-05-24T23:51:02.169-07:00T I tell you, I usually get annoyed any time folks...T I tell you, I usually get annoyed any time folks discuss issues that these people obviously<a href="http://www.healthcaresdiscussion.com/spartagen-xt/" rel="nofollow">SPARTAGEN XT</a> dont know about. You were able to hit the nail on the head and spelled out the whole thing with out complication. Perhaps, folks could take a signal. Will likely be back to obtain more. Appreciate it<br />I'm having a small issue I cannot make my reader pick up your rss feed, I'm using google reader by the way.<a href="http://www.healthcaresdiscussion.com/spartagenxt/" rel="nofollow">http://www.healthcaresdiscussion.com/spartagen-xt/</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-53421889144439857722015-05-24T17:49:57.763-07:002015-05-24T17:49:57.763-07:00Looks like making a Google+ profile allows spammer...Looks like making a Google+ profile allows spammers to get past the filters. Bad Google.Alex Tolleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01556422553154817988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-7913973816816069872015-05-24T07:57:07.515-07:002015-05-24T07:57:07.515-07:00Are the NIAC 2015 proposal presentations going to ...Are the NIAC 2015 proposal presentations going to be available as downloadable or streaming videos? Some of the selections look quite interesting, although I would love to know how the selections are made.Alex Tolleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01556422553154817988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-72522659669089357122015-05-24T07:50:35.759-07:002015-05-24T07:50:35.759-07:00@Tony, Your point was relevant. From the WMAP si...@Tony, Your point was relevant. From the <a href="http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/mission/observatory_l2.html" rel="nofollow">WMAP site</a>:<br /><br /><i>"The L2 point of the Earth-Sun system was the home to the WMAP spacecraft, current home of Planck, and future home of the James Webb Space Telescope. L2 is ideal for astronomy because a spacecraft is close enough to readily communicate with Earth, can keep Sun, Earth and Moon behind the spacecraft for solar power and (with appropriate shielding) provides a clear view of deep space for our telescopes."</i><br /><br />My interpretation is that the craft must be exposed to the sun to power the solar panels, yet keep the sun Earth and Moon away from the view of the cosmos. Therefore the moon cannot be shielding WMAP from Earth emissions. However, if it could store energy, then it could use the moon as a shield if it was needed with small orbital changes.Alex Tolleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01556422553154817988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-53659128522424053242015-05-23T23:05:37.392-07:002015-05-23T23:05:37.392-07:00@AlexTolley, yes I realised WMAP was in Earth-Sun ...@AlexTolley, yes I realised WMAP was in Earth-Sun L2 rather than Earth-Moon, but still thought it a relevant exampleTony Fiskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14578160528746657971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-78797024759886749252015-05-23T07:47:16.207-07:002015-05-23T07:47:16.207-07:00@Tony Fisk. Wikipedia has WMAP at the sun-Earth L...@Tony Fisk. Wikipedia has WMAP at the sun-Earth L2, not the Earth-Moon L2. <br /><br />Yes Sophia looks like a spam bot with a severe hangover. That is the 2nd that got through the spam filters in as many posts, so they are fooling the filters. Alex Tolleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01556422553154817988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-34556321575396580182015-05-23T04:59:40.122-07:002015-05-23T04:59:40.122-07:00The post before my last: no cigar, but the Turing ...The post before my last: no cigar, but the Turing Test is looking like a lower hurdle every day!Tony Fiskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14578160528746657971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-78193603169891584732015-05-23T04:56:11.877-07:002015-05-23T04:56:11.877-07:00Place your radio telescope at the L2 point on the ...Place your radio telescope at the L2 point on the far side. All the benefits of the Moon as a shield without the gravity well. This trick has already been employed by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), which used Earth to shield it from the SunTony Fiskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14578160528746657971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-3350675225506117002015-05-22T23:34:52.679-07:002015-05-22T23:34:52.679-07:00It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably sma...It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.The Awards Ceremony will take place at 7:30 pm, Friday, January 9 at the Herbst Theater in San Francisco. Its an elegant, old world theater with 900 seats that will help give the awards the air of importance we believe they deserve. General admission tickets will be released in December. When angry count four; when very angry, swear. <a href="http://gojivitafacts.com/somatodrol/" rel="nofollow">Somatodrol</a> Mark Twain 1835 1910 Take That Tickets and RAC Motoring Services<br />I'm having a weird problem I cannot seem to be able to subscribe your rss feed, I'm using google reader by the way.<a href="http://gojivitafacts.com/somatodrol/" rel="nofollow">http://gojivitafacts.com/somatodrol/</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-22563441956728935822015-05-22T16:40:28.383-07:002015-05-22T16:40:28.383-07:00@sociotard. I expect like any bureaucracy that th...@sociotard. I expect like any bureaucracy that the CIA is just hunkering down until more favorable political conditions emerge. Earth scientists are a target right now, with Nasa getting a $500m budget cut in the Earth science program due to political opposition. <br /><br />I haven't heard what, if any, impact the changing rules for NSF grants had on Earth sciences. The main target was to ensure that funded science had "relevance" that was subject to political oversight, even though this was resisted. I can imagine any work on climate could be defunded as being not relevant by some views.<br /><br />Well at least the argument that scientists are biased as they get rich research grants to prove climate change will no be valid when the grants dry up. ;PAlex Tolleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01556422553154817988noreply@blogger.com