Bitey:
Fingers:
Jun 102008
Jun 102008
Mommacat swung by the back deck today with two of her kids in tow. Getting a clear photo of an energetic kitten can be problematic….
Jun 092008
Ooops. How did this report ever slip through???
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/08/AR2008060801687_pf.html
Note: I’ve included this entry in the “religion” category because so many people now take it as an article of religious faith that “Bush lied us into war.” And yet, Bush’s claims before opening the Iraq theater of operations were no different than those of the Clinton administration or many of the Congressional Democrats who have since taken to railing against Bush’s “lies.”
There are many valid complaints regarding Bush. Economically, he has been a disaster; he has supported vast new spending and not supported tax cuts and tax reform with anywhere near the zeal he should’ve. He has not been a forceful proponant of clean energy, like nuclear. And on the PR front, he’s been totally hopeless. But complaints should be based on facts, not fantasy. There was much to complain about with the Clinton administration, but his treaty with Martian Commienazis to sell America’s orphans into zombie slave labor in the dilithium mines of Rura Pentha is not a valid source of complaint.
Read the report yourself:
Jun 092008
The HL-20 was a NASA-Langley concept for a lifting body spaceplane which could carry eight or so astronauts and be launched by any of a number of launch systems. Design began in the late ’80’; its high point was the early ’90’s.
More to come on this.
Jun 092008
From the Moscow News:
The Boeing Company said recently it had test-fired a high-energy chemical laser fitted aboard a C-130H aircraft for the first time. The successful ground tests, “a key milestone for the Advanced Tactical Laser Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration program,” took place on May 13 at the Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
Commenting on the announcement, the Russian expert said: “We tested a similar system back in 1972. Even then our ‘laser cannon was capable of hitting targets with high precision.”
“We have moved far ahead since then, and the U.S. has to keep pace with our research and development,” he added.
No evidence was provided, of course.
Jun 092008
I stumbled across a few photos of the crowd of invited space enthusiasts gathered at the first public flight of the Delta Clipper (I forget who sent me these photos… if it was you, speak up!) in, I believe, September 1993. I’m in these photos, with a group of other space-geek college students form Iowa State U.
Ah, the days when I still had hope. Also in this photo is the guy who would become my first real boss after graduation, although I didn’t know it at the time. He’s one of the reasons why I lost that youthful hope and optimism.
Watching the DC-X lift off, slow down, hover, translate sideways and land was a hell of a thing. I would have bet my last nickle that were were on the verge of a new age in opening spaceflight to lower cost and higher flight rate. It was impossible to watch that demo and not get a little excited.
Jun 082008
On display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, WA. If you find yourself in the area with some hours to kill and fifteen bucks brnign a hole in your pocket, I recommend this museum. Some nifty stuff there.
Jun 082008
It’s been sitting outside for Odin knows how long, and it certainly could use some sprucing up. Still, it appears to be in reasonably good shape.
Jun 082008
Jun 082008
Sometime in the late 70’s or early 80’s, Bell designed a small tiltrotor for the Marines named “Mighty Mouse.” It was a troop transport designed to be packed into small spaces, such as small ships. I’ve seen various bits of art, but so far no drawings or technical data. Any pointers would be appreciated…
