SpaceX Dragon Capsule Landing – Private Space Test – Popular Mechanics
Congratulations to SpaceX for their successful launch of the Dragon capsule. More importantly congratulations to SpaceX for becoming the first private company to have a spacecraft re-enter from orbit.
More info on SpaceX Dragon: SpaceX Dragon – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Much Rides on Upcoming Launch of SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft
My only real problem with the article is trying to give President Obama credit for SpaceX’s work. SpaceX and companies like them have been working on private commercial space craft long before President Obama even thought of becoming President.
My hope is the Dragon launch goes smoothly. Whether you support private space launch or not, all can agree that NASA has become a bloated organization subject to the whims and machinations of politicians and scientists that have disrupted and, in some cases, crippled U.S. space capability. Whether those manipulations are based on budget considerations (e.g. the Federal government inability to manage its budget wisely) of socio-political agendas (via programs designed solely to support theories rather than test them such as global warming) the fact is the private sector is needed to provide a much needed spark of technological development and innovation that no longer exists due to the bureaucratic nature that has taken hold at NASA.
There will be some privatization of space whether people like it or not, but agencies like NASA will also remain.
Experts: Mystery Contrail Was Plane, Not Missile
Much as I hate (and dismiss) most conspiracy theories I’m just not buying the explanation being touted. I’ve seen a lot of atmospheric anomalies, visual mis-perceptions, jets, and rockets. Maybe not as much as some people, but enough to question the conclusion presented. After all, if it is simply a plane then why the FAA lack of knowledge regarding the location of the plane/missile? Where’s the pilot? Or for that matter, where is the plane itself? These are but a few questions to add on top of others (like why is there a burn from the engine similar to what one would see in a missile or rocket?)
Note that the claim is that plane/missile was likely America West Flight 808 from Hawaii to Phoenix. I don’t really buy that because the Hawaii to Phoenix flight is pretty regular. (Note US Airways re-branded all America West flights to US Airways but still retain America West’s callsign and code.) That being the case, why would such sight not be seen before? Sure it’s possible that the anomaly wasn’t noticed before but seems a little unlikely given the heavy air traffic of the area.
Personally, I figure the military was doing a test of some sort (as seemed to be indicated in a recent NGA advisory for the area) and it happened to get seen. If that was the case, admit it and move on. Most Americans wouldn’t have noticed or even cared if not for all the contradictory statements.
FoxNews.com – Mystery Solved? Missile Launch Could Be a Jet Contrail
L.A. ‘mystery missile’ may have been errant launch, experts say | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times
I don’t really buy that it was a jet contrail. It could very well be a jet but I’ve seen plenty of both jet and missile contrails. Based on the footage available this one looks more like a contrail I would associate with a missile or rocket.
Whether it is a missile or a jet contrail, the fact that authorities could not readily confirm or deny which it was is more troubling from a national security and safety perspective. The lack of any explanation, even an old excuse like whatever is was being classified due to national security or something would have gone over better than the ongoing media frenzy over apparent ineptitude, confusion, and lack of communication.
Fears of Greek contagion sweep global markets | Reuters
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Europe’s fate was at stake. France declared the euro was under speculative attack but said such a move would fail. And the Greek government vowed not to retreat a single step despite violence on the streets of Athens.
Obama wants to begin immigration reform this year | Reuters
The Arizona law requires state and local police to determine if people are in the country illegally, previously a function carried out by U.S. federal immigration police and some local forces.
Actually that should read “…previously a function ignored by…”. Had the Feds done their job Arizona would not have passed SB 1070. Besides sounds like Obama’s just blathering about amnesty for the illegals, not genuine immigration reform.
“In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American…There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.’
— President Theodore Roosevelt 1919
FCC plans Net neutrality regulations for broadband | Wireless – CNET News
The Aerodynamic Properties of the Humvee | The Daily Planet
Too bad “Los Suns” defeated the Spurs but I still hold out hope the Spurs will defeat them over the series. Maybe when they lose it’ll teach them a lesson to stay out of politics and stick to basketball. Boycotting the Suns until they end their hysterical ignorance based childish and demeaning political stunts in Arizona. Los Boycott: Don’t Go to the Phoenix Suns Game Tonight : The Powers That Be
Judge orders U.S. militia members released on bond | Reuters
In a blistering attack, U.S. District Court Judge Victoria Roberts in Detroit said prosecutors had failed to persuade her the defendants were a danger to the community.
While they may have engaged in “offensive and hate-filled speech,” it was not at all clear that they had conspired to break any laws, Roberts wrote.
Hmm. Curious.
Border Wars continue: Arizona deputy shot by suspected drug trafficker, officials say – CNN.com
The Pinal County deputy, who was not immediately identified, contacted authorities after being wounded in the desert, saying he had been shot by an illegal immigrant with an AK-47, said Lt. Tammy Villar, a sheriff’s spokeswoman.
The only good thing about the shooting was it resulted in the arrest of 17 suspected illegals while the search for the suspect goes on.
Arizona Shooting Stokes Immigration Debate – WSJ.com
He says the law will force him and his family to move out of the state. Hailing originally from Mexico, Mr. Rodriguez and his family have lived in Arizona illegally for the past 10 years.
And I’m supposed to feel sorry for one illegal alien admittedly breaking the law? Worse, this idiot as much as admits he’ll remain illegal by heading for California or New Mexico acting like he’s the victim instead of the criminal. Talk about a warped sense of entitlement.
Interesting how the MSM ignores the violence from this weekends May Day protests:
Media Miss Of The Day
Rioting, violence, arrests mar protests of AZ immigration laws
At least 18 Santa Cruz businesses suffered damage during May Day riot – San Jose Mercury News
NASA has awarded a sole source bridge contract for Multidisciplinary Engineering and Technology Support, or METS, services to Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT), Inc. of Greenbelt, Md.
Democrats unveil immigration reform plan | Reuters
Not going to believe it until I see genuine reform, not useless identification cards that’ll be forged faster than you can say illegal and more laws that Congress and the administration will de-fund or order they be ignored as has been done for decades. Congress and past Presidents sold out the American public long ago to the illegals rather than secure the border as is their duty and responsibility.
Avionics Magazine :: Raytheon Awarded Radar Contract
Japan sees moonwalking humanoids by 2015 | Crave – CNET
Just as the Obama administration ditches NASA plans to return to the moon, a group in Japan is vowing to send humanoid robots there by 2015. Call it a giant leap for droidkind.
Peaceful protest proper approach on Arizona law | law, enforcement, people – Opinion – YumaSun
The peaceful protests and civil disobedience of the civil rights era are an example of the power of proper opposition. Those who want to protest this law need to look to that example.
At least some still have common sense. Too bad it isn’t the protesters, who by their very actions turn people against them. I lost what little sympathy I had for those opposing the law the instant some became violent (attacking police) and resorted to vandalism (refried bean swastikas? talk about racial profiling yourself!). Hell, even my Hispanic neighbors think the protesters are morons. (Their exact words were much harsher.) The protesters have the right to protest peacefully and challenge the law in court, nothing more. If the law is truly unconstitutional it will be deemed as such.
Napolitano has ‘deep concerns’ over immigration law Says the lady who did nothing during her tenure as Arizona governor to truly deal with illegal immigration aside from the occasional token troops on the border publicity stunts and has completely failed to secure the border in her time as head of DHS.
US Immigration – Congress Turns to Immigration Reform I’ll believe it when I see the borders secured, laws enforced, States not left bankrupt by federal immigration mandates, and Americans not sold out in favor of illegals.
Obama says everything on table for tackling budget deficits | Reuters
Simple suggestions for the morons in D.C.: Cut spending, no new taxes/fees/fines, ban earmarks, suspend non-emergency related foreign aid, cut business taxes to bring back industry and jobs, etc. And don’t even think about a value added tax (VAT) on the citizenry. VAT will end their political careers in a heartbeat when people realize it will hurt the middle class and poor the most.
Belarus leader warns against Kyrgyz-type turmoil | Reuters Too bad Lukashenko’s authoritarian rule diminishes his concerned words.
Japan seeks foreign engines for stealth fighter prototypes
Called the “Prompt Global Strike” (PGS) system, it is built around a hypersonic missile that could travel at speeds of up to Mach 5 or 3,6000 miles per hour. A Tomahawk cruise missile flies at about 550 miles per hour.
***
The PGS has drawn mixed reaction from the international community. The Deputy Secretary of the Russian National Security Council, General Yuri Baluyevsky, said that the U.S. had only agreed to recent nuclear arms reductions because of its ability to “kill you using conventional high-precision weapons.”
Air Force to launch X-37 space plane: Precursor to war in orbit? – Yahoo! News (Author’s note: I hate the fear mongering title to this article.)
‘Arms control advocates say it is pretty clearly the beginning of a “weaponization of space” – precursor to a precision global strike capability that would allow the US to hover for months at a time over anywhere it chose with little anyone could do about it.
The “weaponization of space” is inevitable as long as mankind intends to go into space. Some would say it’s already been weaponized by the use of satellites for spy satellites, GPS, et al, for military and national security uses.
Some history of the X-37: X-37 Spacecraft History – Central Florida News 13
Fact Sheet: NASA – X-37 fact sheet (05/03)
X-37: Ready for Launch | The Daily Planet
On Thursday, April 22, the U.S. Air Force will finally launch its little, unmanned X-37 orbital spaceplane on top of an Atlas V rocket. The liftoff, which will take place in a window between 7:52 p.m. and 8:01 p.m., will mark the culmination of years of development for the newest U.S. spacecraft—and the world’s only reusable one after the space shuttle’s planned retirement toward the end of this year.
It’s a beauty, that one.
VSS Enterprise’s first ‘captive carry’ flight! | International Space Fellowship
Commenting on the historic flight, Burt Rutan said: “This is a momentous day for the Scaled and Virgin Teams. The captive carry flight signifies the start of what we believe will be extremely exciting and successful spaceship flight test program.”
Britain to set up new space agency | Reuters
Britain’s space and satellite sector employs 68,000 people and contributes 6 billion pounds ($9 billion) a year to the economy, the government says. It has grown in real terms by around nine percent a year since 1999, more than three times faster than the economy as a whole.
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