Sep 012014
 

A piece of NASA art (a photo from eBay, with an attempt at correcting parallax error), likely from 1962-63, depicting current and forthcoming space launch vehicles. Of note, rather obviously, is the “Nova” launcher at far right. But also noteworthy are the “Thor Agena B” and the “Atlas Agena B,” both of which are depicted with the Agena upper stage & payloads blacked out. This could be due to security concerns over the Agena configuration… or perhaps the Agena was not yet well defined, and by blacking them out, the artist would not have to depict them (and yet they could be given an air of mystery). It would not surprise me if there is another version of this artwork with the Agenas shown clearly.

ebay 2014-07-19 12

 Posted by at 10:00 pm
Sep 012014
 

In Maryland, a Soviet-Style Punishment for a Novelist

It has been a few days since I posted about public school teacher and (apparently craptacular) amateur sci-fi author Patrick McLaw getting arrested and disappeared for writing an (apparently craptacular) sci-fi novel. And there doesn’t really seem to be any news since then. And that alone is news. If there was a valid case against this guy, you’d think the local police/prosecutors would be touting their case. Instead… nothing.

 

 Posted by at 5:59 pm