This is more a note to myself than anything, but you might find it interesting as well. JPL has put together an overview called the Basics of Space Flight, covering topics like orbital mechanics, experiments, and communication. It’s supposed to have a bent toward unmanned missions, but a lot of the principles are the same. I look forward to reading it.
Yearly Archives: 2003
Heinlein the Prophet
No link, sorry. But I’m re-reading Friday by Robert Heinlein and our heroine has just arrived in the Confederacy of California:
“But only in California will you find the clear-quill, raw-gum, two-hundred-proof, undiluted democracy…They elect everybody, from precinct parasite to the Chief Confederate (“The Chief”). But they unelect them almost as fast. For example the Chief is supposed to serve one six-year term. But, of the last nine chiefs, only two served a full six years; the others were recalled except that one who was lynched. In many cases an official has not yet been sworn in when the first recall petition is being circulated.”
Creepy, eh?
If you build it, they will…. commando?
Say it ain’t so…. Our fun little Segway is now being considered as a tool in “a plan to develop battlefield robots that think on their own and communicate with troops.” Does every toy have to turn into a war toy?
Science Fix
If you need a quick read about where we stand on some of the major scientific issues of our time, The New York Times has recently put out the 25th Anniversiary Edition of Science Times in which they “pose 25 of the most provocative questions facing science.” Some of them I do not think should be on the list, but nevertheless, there are others that mosty definitely should, with decent, succinct responses.
The site requires you to create an account with a username and password to gain access to the otherwise free content. I’ve had mine for years without any more trouble, though. Click on the big question mark if you only want the questions.