NY Times Strands
- rgio - May 19, 2024 - 6:48pm
Name My Band
- kcar - May 19, 2024 - 4:37pm
Positive Thoughts and Prayer Requests
- GeneP59 - May 19, 2024 - 4:08pm
What can you hear right now?
- GeneP59 - May 19, 2024 - 4:07pm
What Did You See Today?
- GeneP59 - May 19, 2024 - 3:56pm
Wordle - daily game
- rgio - May 19, 2024 - 3:15pm
Radio Paradise Comments
- skiman - May 19, 2024 - 3:11pm
China
- Isabeau - May 19, 2024 - 2:22pm
Shawn Phillips
- migmahman - May 19, 2024 - 2:21pm
What Makes You Laugh?
- Isabeau - May 19, 2024 - 2:18pm
NYTimes Connections
- geoff_morphini - May 19, 2024 - 11:09am
Today in History
- DaveInSaoMiguel - May 19, 2024 - 5:50am
TV shows you watch
- Steely_D - May 19, 2024 - 1:13am
Music library
- nightdrive - May 18, 2024 - 1:28pm
Trump
- Red_Dragon - May 18, 2024 - 1:21pm
Israel
- R_P - May 18, 2024 - 11:35am
Mixtape Culture Club
- miamizsun - May 18, 2024 - 9:01am
Baseball, anyone?
- rgio - May 18, 2024 - 8:28am
The Obituary Page
- DaveInSaoMiguel - May 18, 2024 - 4:18am
Paul McCartney
- miamizsun - May 18, 2024 - 4:06am
Virginia News
- Steely_D - May 18, 2024 - 2:51am
Gnomad here. Who farking deleted my thread?
- Red_Dragon - May 17, 2024 - 5:59pm
The Dragons' Roost
- triskele - May 17, 2024 - 4:04pm
Upcoming concerts or shows you can't wait to see
- ScottFromWyoming - May 17, 2024 - 1:43pm
USA! USA! USA!
- Beaker - May 17, 2024 - 1:28pm
DIY
- black321 - May 17, 2024 - 9:16am
May 2024 Photo Theme - Peaceful
- Isabeau - May 17, 2024 - 9:02am
Photography Forum - Your Own Photos
- Isabeau - May 17, 2024 - 8:44am
Other Medical Stuff
- kurtster - May 16, 2024 - 10:00pm
Dialing 1-800-Manbird
- ScottN - May 16, 2024 - 7:00pm
Bug Reports & Feature Requests
- RPnate1 - May 16, 2024 - 3:33pm
Your Local News
- Proclivities - May 16, 2024 - 12:51pm
Alexa Show
- thisbody - May 16, 2024 - 12:15pm
Things You Thought Today
- thisbody - May 16, 2024 - 10:25am
Joe Biden
- Steely_D - May 16, 2024 - 1:02am
Climate Change
- R_P - May 15, 2024 - 9:38pm
Strange signs, marquees, billboards, etc.
- KurtfromLaQuinta - May 15, 2024 - 4:13pm
how do you feel right now?
- KurtfromLaQuinta - May 15, 2024 - 4:10pm
What the hell OV?
- oldviolin - May 15, 2024 - 12:38pm
Song of the Day
- oldviolin - May 15, 2024 - 11:50am
• • • The Once-a-Day • • •
- oldviolin - May 15, 2024 - 11:48am
Science is bullsh*t
- oldviolin - May 15, 2024 - 11:44am
NASA & other news from space
- Beaker - May 15, 2024 - 9:29am
Artificial Intelligence
- thisbody - May 15, 2024 - 8:25am
Human Rights (Can Science Point The Way)
- miamizsun - May 15, 2024 - 5:50am
Play the Blues
- Steely_D - May 15, 2024 - 1:50am
Animal Resistance
- R_P - May 14, 2024 - 6:37pm
2024 Elections!
- R_P - May 14, 2024 - 6:00pm
Fascism In America
- Red_Dragon - May 14, 2024 - 4:27pm
punk? hip-hop? metal? noise? garage?
- thisbody - May 14, 2024 - 1:27pm
Social Media Are Changing Everything
- Red_Dragon - May 14, 2024 - 8:08am
Internet connection
- ai63 - May 14, 2024 - 7:53am
Congress
- Red_Dragon - May 13, 2024 - 8:22pm
Ukraine
- R_P - May 13, 2024 - 5:50pm
What The Hell Buddy?
- oldviolin - May 13, 2024 - 1:25pm
Surfing!
- KurtfromLaQuinta - May 13, 2024 - 1:21pm
Bad Poetry
- oldviolin - May 13, 2024 - 11:38am
See This Film
- Red_Dragon - May 13, 2024 - 8:35am
Podcast recommendations???
- ColdMiser - May 13, 2024 - 7:50am
News of the Weird
- Red_Dragon - May 13, 2024 - 5:05am
Those Lovable Policemen
- R_P - May 12, 2024 - 11:31am
Vinyl Only Spin List
- kurtster - May 12, 2024 - 9:16am
The All-Things Beatles Forum
- Steely_D - May 12, 2024 - 9:04am
Poetry Forum
- ScottN - May 12, 2024 - 6:32am
Beer
- ScottFromWyoming - May 10, 2024 - 8:58pm
It's the economy stupid.
- thisbody - May 10, 2024 - 3:21pm
Oh dear god, BEES!
- R_P - May 10, 2024 - 3:11pm
Tornado!
- miamizsun - May 10, 2024 - 2:49pm
The 1960s
- kcar - May 10, 2024 - 2:49pm
Marko Haavisto & Poutahaukat
- thisbody - May 10, 2024 - 7:57am
Living in America
- Proclivities - May 10, 2024 - 6:45am
Outstanding Covers
- Steely_D - May 10, 2024 - 12:56am
Democratic Party
- R_P - May 9, 2024 - 3:06pm
RP on HomePod mini
- RPnate1 - May 9, 2024 - 10:52am
Interesting Words
- Proclivities - May 9, 2024 - 10:22am
|
Index »
Radio Paradise/General »
General Discussion »
NASA & other news from space
|
Page: Previous 1, 2, 3 ... 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 Next |
shmgeggie
Location: Spokane, WA Gender:
|
Posted:
Aug 5, 2011 - 2:55pm |
|
aflanigan wrote:All you trekheads out there (including the original) will of course remember the episode that broached the subject of whether humans were essential to space exploration, THE ULTIMATE COMPUTER. Predictably, the plot involves demonstrating that computers are not fit to pilot star ships without humans. My opinion is that, given the basic assumptions of the star trek series (a universe populated by numerous sentient life forms strewn about the galaxies), it probably would be impossible to avoid sending humans into space. We've been sending diplomats across borders for millenia; it's hard to imagine that an advanced robotic computer might be developed that could replace humans in tact and judgement any time soon (maybe something like the replicants from Blade Runner?). In terms of the need for humans to pilot exploration ships in the real universe, where for all intents and purposes we're the only sentient life around, Captain Kirk (or "Captain Dunsail", as Commodore Wesley calls Kirk) has, I believe, already been made obsolete. Frank Herbert's "Destination: Void" series puts a very interesting spin on this question. Well worth a read, especially "The Jesus Incident."
|
|
K_Love
Gender:
|
Posted:
Aug 5, 2011 - 12:55pm |
|
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA launched a new solar-powered spacecraft on a mission to Jupiter on Friday. The robotic explorer, named Juno, was atop an unmanned Atlas rocket. The launch had to be delayed for a short time while a problem with a helium system was investigated and a boat was removed from the launch zone. The launch happened at 12:25 p.m. It will take Juno five years to reach Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system. The spacecraft will be powered by three huge solar panels. It will be the farthest any solar-powered craft has ever traveled. Previous Jupiter probes have relied on nuclear energy. Jupiter is believed to be the oldest planet in the solar system.Astronomers hope to figure out the recipe for making planets by uncovering the ingredients of this gas giant. Juno will spend at least one year circling Jupiter's poles.
|
|
aflanigan
Location: At Sea Gender:
|
Posted:
Aug 5, 2011 - 12:41pm |
|
Beaker wrote: aflanigan wrote:All you trekheads out there (including the original) will of course remember the episode that broached the subject of whether humans were essential to space exploration, THE ULTIMATE COMPUTER. Predictably, the plot involves demonstrating that computers are not fit to pilot star ships without humans. My opinion is that, given the basic assumptions of the star trek series (a universe populated by numerous sentient life forms strewn about the galaxies), it probably would be impossible to avoid sending humans into space. We've been sending diplomats across borders for millenia; it's hard to imagine that an advanced robotic computer might be developed that could replace humans in tact and judgement any time soon (maybe something like the replicants from Blade Runner?). In terms of the need for humans to pilot exploration ships in the real universe, where for all intents and purposes we're the only sentient life around, Captain Kirk (or "Captain Dunsail", as Commodore Wesley calls Kirk) has, I believe, already been made obsolete. fyt
Captain Dunsel Not a typo. Dunsel is how transcript writers heard it, but I believe dunsail is the correct spelling ( cf stunsail, pronounced "stuns'l")
|
|
islander
Location: West coast somewhere Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 25, 2011 - 8:26am |
|
hobiejoe wrote:Crikey, that is an extraordinary trajectory. I'd always imagined a somewhat more glider-like gentle descent. And as for the "airglow", well... it's well known that in favourable conditions on an open sea a lucky sailor will see the "green flash" across the western horizon moments after the sun has set. Not seen one yet You can actually see them over land as well. We occasionally get them from the deck here with the sun setting over the peninsula. It has to be VERY dry though, and almost no surrounding clouds.
|
|
Umberdog
Location: In my body. Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 24, 2011 - 3:36pm |
|
This is a cool picture too. Anyone wanna take a swim in the Bahamas? We'll need a diving board.
|
|
hobiejoe
Location: Still in the tunnel, looking for the light. Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 24, 2011 - 3:28pm |
|
Zep wrote:Atlantis returns to Earth, as seen from the International Space Station. Details here. "The green band of light in the background is called "airglow." Airglow is a luminous bubble that surounds our entire planet, decorating the top of the atmosphere with aurora-like color. Although airglow resembles the aurora borealis, its underlying physics is different. Airglow is caused by an assortment of chemical reactions in the upper atmosphere driven mainly by solar ultraviolet radiation; auroras, on the other hand, are prompted by gusts of solar wind." Crikey, that is an extraordinary trajectory. I'd always imagined a somewhat more glider-like gentle descent. And as for the "airglow", well... it's well known that in favourable conditions on an open sea a lucky sailor will see the "green flash" across the western horizon moments after the sun has set. Not seen one yet
|
|
Umberdog
Location: In my body. Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 24, 2011 - 3:12pm |
|
Zep wrote:Atlantis returns to Earth, as seen from the International Space Station. Details here. "The green band of light in the background is called "airglow." Airglow is a luminous bubble that surounds our entire planet, decorating the top of the atmosphere with aurora-like color. Although airglow resembles the aurora borealis, its underlying physics is different. Airglow is caused by an assortment of chemical reactions in the upper atmosphere driven mainly by solar ultraviolet radiation; auroras, on the other hand, are prompted by gusts of solar wind." I could write a sci-fi novel about that evil dark cloud in the upper right corner. Very interesting picture.
|
|
Red_Dragon
Location: Dumbf*ckistan
|
Posted:
Jul 24, 2011 - 3:10pm |
|
Zep wrote:Atlantis returns to Earth, as seen from the International Space Station. Details here. "The green band of light in the background is called "airglow." Airglow is a luminous bubble that surounds our entire planet, decorating the top of the atmosphere with aurora-like color. Although airglow resembles the aurora borealis, its underlying physics is different. Airglow is caused by an assortment of chemical reactions in the upper atmosphere driven mainly by solar ultraviolet radiation; auroras, on the other hand, are prompted by gusts of solar wind." very cool pic.
|
|
Zep
Location: Funkytown
|
Posted:
Jul 24, 2011 - 3:06pm |
|
Atlantis returns to Earth, as seen from the International Space Station. Details here. "The green band of light in the background is called "airglow." Airglow is a luminous bubble that surounds our entire planet, decorating the top of the atmosphere with aurora-like color. Although airglow resembles the aurora borealis, its underlying physics is different. Airglow is caused by an assortment of chemical reactions in the upper atmosphere driven mainly by solar ultraviolet radiation; auroras, on the other hand, are prompted by gusts of solar wind."
|
|
aflanigan
Location: At Sea Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 22, 2011 - 2:22pm |
|
justlistening wrote:I shared Coaxial's link with a few people here at work and one of them sent me this photo. Thought I'd share. Gene Roddenbery came to our highschool in 1976 when I was a freshman. He screened a blooper reel from Star Trek and fielded questions about the upcoming (rumored) Star Trek movie (it was still three years away). Still haven't figured out how they arranged for him to visit our dinky school. My graduating class only had 120 kids in it - I don't think we had more than about 500 total. It was a highlight though and he was a nice guy. He stuck around and spoke to people in the hallway after the presentation. All you trekheads out there (including the original) will of course remember the episode that broached the subject of whether humans were essential to space exploration, THE ULTIMATE COMPUTER. Predictably, the plot involves demonstrating that computers are not fit to pilot star ships without humans. My opinion is that, given the basic assumptions of the star trek series (a universe populated by numerous sentient life forms strewn about the galaxies), it probably would be impossible to avoid sending humans into space. We've been sending diplomats across borders for millenia; it's hard to imagine that an advanced robotic computer might be developed that could replace humans in tact and judgement any time soon (maybe something like the replicants from Blade Runner?). In terms of the need for humans to pilot exploration ships in the real universe, where for all intents and purposes we're the only sentient life around, Captain Kirk (or "Captain Dunsail", as Commodore Wesley calls Kirk) has, I believe, already been made obsolete.
|
|
aflanigan
Location: At Sea Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 22, 2011 - 1:51pm |
|
Xeric wrote: Yeah. But. No kid was ever inspired to become an astronaut (or an aerospace engineer or a poet) by a datastream from a robot. The reasons to do personed flight may indeed be more emotional than rational: that fact does not necessarily tender those reasons invalid.
OK, but that's why we have guys like Richard Branson. He can afford to spend extravagantly on manned spaceflight projects for romantic reasons! We really can't.
|
|
aflanigan
Location: At Sea Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 22, 2011 - 1:42pm |
|
bokey wrote: Wow.Just wow.We should stagnate as a nation and a race in order to squander our resources on being world cops and bombing other countries that haven't done a frigging thing to us,rather than try to advance ourselves?
Where do you see me advocating the above? Wasting money comes in many forms, including fighting pointless wars. The point is, sending human flesh into space is inefficient; we can employ contractors and generate economic growth by being smart about utilizing our space flight capability and produce much more meaningful "science" along the lines of projects like Pioneer, Voyager, Mariner, etc. You get much more bang for your buck regarding advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge when you stop insisting on sending humans into space to evacuate their bowels and vomit in zero gravity. Stagnating is what we basically have been doing with our inefficient approach to space exploration.
|
|
GeneP59
Location: On the edge of tomorrow looking back at yesterday. Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 22, 2011 - 1:32pm |
|
ScottFromWyoming wrote:Cool. It says 2014 "or later" now... I never looked up who Ad Astra was. I've seen the name and just skimmed over it. Things are still awesome up there. The guy who's the head of the company is a former astronaut for NASA with a PHD in Science. Hope his technology works.
|
|
ScottFromWyoming
Location: Powell Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 22, 2011 - 1:23pm |
|
GeneP59 wrote:There was supposed to be a test fire of a new plasma engine on the Space Station next year and I never heard anything more about it. This new engine is suppose to knock 6 months off the trip to Mars down to a 39-day mission to Mars. If this is feasible, the new technology will make going to Mars and further a return trip not a one way ride. Cool. It says 2014 "or later" now... I never looked up who Ad Astra was. I've seen the name and just skimmed over it. Things are still awesome up there.
|
|
GeneP59
Location: On the edge of tomorrow looking back at yesterday. Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 22, 2011 - 1:00pm |
|
There was supposed to be a test fire of a new plasma engine on the Space Station next year and I never heard anything more about it. This new engine is suppose to knock 6 months off the trip to Mars down to a 39-day mission to Mars. If this is feasible, the new technology will make going to Mars and further a return trip not a one way ride.
|
|
justlistening
Location: So. California Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 22, 2011 - 12:42pm |
|
Proclivities wrote: "...besides, it's cold as hell" (That simile always bothered me - hell is supposed to be hot.) I see your point about setting up an outpost or settlement; that'll probably happen someday. I just figure picking the first guy could be a little troublesome. You're probably right about a lot of the westward expansion people not expecting to come back - the same is probably true for many of the early trans-Atlantic sailors.
Not to mention dust storms that blanket the planet and radiation due to lack of atmosphere. (got your continued reference though)
|
|
Proclivities
Location: Paris of the Piedmont Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 22, 2011 - 12:36pm |
|
Zep wrote: The mission would not be to strand the astronauts, but to give them enough resources to start a new outpost. Humans have done this on faith for generations. It's likely many who went west during the U.S. expansion thought very little about returning.
Think too of the opportunity to start all over again, another common theme in history.
Still, I get your point. 200 million miles is a lot of road. And Mars ain't the kind of place to raise a kid.
"...in fact, it's cold as hell" (That simile always bothered me - I thought hell is supposed to be hot.)
I see your point about setting up an outpost or settlement; that'll probably happen someday. I just figure picking the first guy could be a little troublesome. You're probably right about a lot of the westward expansion people not expecting to come back - the same is probably true for many of the early trans-Atlantic sailors.
|
|
ScottFromWyoming
Location: Powell Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 22, 2011 - 12:36pm |
|
Zep wrote: The mission would not be to strand the astronauts, but to give them enough resources to start a new outpost. Humans have done this on faith for generations. It's likely many who went west during the U.S. expansion thought very little about returning.
*pictures Kevin Costner making coffee for a little green man*
|
|
hippiechick
Location: topsy turvy land Gender:
|
Posted:
Jul 22, 2011 - 12:24pm |
|
Zep wrote: The mission would not be to strand the astronauts, but to give them enough resources to start a new outpost. Humans have done this on faith for generations. It's likely many who went west during the U.S. expansion thought very little about returning.
Think too of the opportunity to start all over again, another common theme in history.
Still, I get your point. 200 million miles is a lot of road. And Mars ain't the kind of place to raise a kid.
It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it. (Got your Rocket Man ref)
|
|
Zep
Location: Funkytown
|
Posted:
Jul 22, 2011 - 12:22pm |
|
Proclivities wrote:Well, one might wonder as to the mental health of someone who is willing to travel 200 million miles to be stranded on some cold, little planet. It's a little beyond what test pilots do. The mission would not be to strand the astronauts, but to give them enough resources to start a new outpost. Humans have done this on faith for generations. It's likely many who went west during the U.S. expansion thought very little about returning. Think too of the opportunity to start all over again, another common theme in history. Still, I get your point. 200 million miles is a lot of road. And Mars ain't the kind of place to raise a kid.
|
|
|