Continuing…
The notion of adding a “docking module” to the Shuttle to allow it to dock with another spacecraft. Here’s one that actually got built and used for docking to Mir and ISS.
Next time: a stretched External Tank & SRBs for increased payload.
… Until now.
The neck structure needs a little additional structural support, and then they can introduce this to the Olympics.
For Kerbal Space Program 2, at any rate:
A good mix of beauty, awesomeness and hilarity. Note that this seems to imply that Orion and Daedalus nuclear pulse propulsion systems will be a part of it.
I’ve never gotten into KSP. I guess I’ve missed out. When people first started telling me about it years ago I started getting interested until I found out that the planets *weren’t* earth and the rest of the solar system, modeled accurately.Turn it into a true simulation system directly applicable to real-world designs, and I might be interested in going to the bother.
The domestic terrorists at Antifa and the hate group Democratic Socialists have, through hacking, lies and threats of violence, arson and death, caused a the venue for an anti-racism event in a small town in New Jersey to pull out:
Once again, the “anti-fascists” show that they are the modern fascists.
Interestingly, the news media is covering this story in various ways, including narratives symathetic to the actual terrorists:
The “groups” here are not once described to be the violent hateful thugs that they are, but the event certainly is.
Some relevant videos by some of the non-insane people involved:
If there is anyone reading this who wants to make a name for themselves in the world of journalism, I have a story suggestion for you. It would be a potentially difficult one to research, and if you get anywhere with it your life will be in danger… but if you succeed, you’ll have one of the biggest stories of the century. The story is this: are groups like Antifa and the Progressive Democrats and the Democratic Socialists being puppetmastered by Putin and the Kremlin? Is this a new development, or is it a continuation of a Soviet-era effort to undermine American civic values and respect for social norms and democratic principles? Or is it a revival of a Soviet-era program that was killed off by the fall of the Soviet Union, and only revived in recent years? Does it goes beyond Russian tomfoolery with social media, or is there more direct involvement, such as substantial funds being handed over? Are the people of Antifa and the DS merely f*%^ing idiots, or are they outright traitors?
Journalists: do your damn jobs and find out.
Continuing… An idea for added propellant tanks for the rear of the cargo bay. The propellant would feed not the SSME’s, but the orbital maneuvering system engines. This would allow the Shuttle to reach higher orbital altitudes.
I had a number of comments to make about the intelligence, ethics, parentage and proper handling/punchability of the domestic terrorists known as “Antifa,” but upon reflection I’ve decided that discretion is the better part of avoiding potential issues, and I’ll just leave this here. Once again, free advice for the Trump 2020 campaign… the Dems don’t condemn Antifa. Record & broadcast for campaign ads.
If you are not anti-Communist, you’re a Communist, and that means you are to be not only suspected of wanting to commit another Holodomor, you are to be held liable for the last one *and* the other hundred million or so people murdered by Communism in the name of kleptocracy and totalitarianism.
Continuing. This time, discussion of possibilities of higher thrust SSMEs including the SSME-150 with an extendable nozzle. Once again this would be for increased payload capability, in particular 32,000 pounds to polar orbit from Vandenburg.
Hey. Hey.
Deep Fakes are getting better. Still not perfect; Elon as Dave Bowman isn;t quite totally convincing at the best of times and there are some mistakes that stick out (his chin overlapping the helmet ring, frex), but it’s still pretty good.
The end of “video as believable evidence” is nearing its end.
There is currently an item on ebay that the *title* of had me very interested, but the actual photos fire off my BS alarms:
A vintage F-108 display model made by the NAA model shop or by an official contractor for NAA would be a very interesting item. But… that’s not what we’ve got here. Observe:
This is not a North American Aviation design. It is, in fact, copied from the 1960 ITC “F-108 Rapier” model kit. This was designed before the F-108 design was revealed to the public, and was basically a fictional concept based on the North American “Navaho” intercontinental cruise missile.
The model is not actually an assembled ITC Rapier kit. It looks like one of the Asian specially-made “genuine Philippine mahogany” models that you can have made. Which is fine if that’s what you want, but that’s not what the ebay listing says it is. Quote: “For sale is a rare XF-108 Rapier contractor style model. I am unsure of the manufacturer -possibly Topping/Precise. ” Note: “style.”
As of this writing there are 15 bids, up to $140. This seems a bit much for a meh-quality modern replica of a meh-quality model kit. If this is something you’re interested in bidding on, keep in mind that this is *not* a North American Aviation design, but a design by a short-lived (1957-64) model kit company that had no special insight.
