This just in: “SpaceDev”:http://www.spacedev.com/, the San Diego company that provides “SpaceShipOne”:http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sso_rutan_archive.html’s revolutionary hybrid rocket engine, is developing “Dream Chaser”:http://www.spacedev.com/newsite/templates/subpage_article.php?pid=489, a low-cost sub-orbital spacecraft. Not limited to X-Prize ranges, Dream Chaser is designed to scale up to the point where people can be delivered to and from Low Earth Orbit (read: “space station”:http://www.space.com/news/businessmonday_040524.html).
Yearly Archives: 2004
Links Lead to Links
The previous post (showtunes) led me to the comments our intrepid singer has generated, including a very positive one from a group I didn’t know existed, Ship of Fools. They’re a sort of progressive, weird, Anglican/Episcopalian site. Their arguments for and against acceptance of homosexuality in Christianity are interesting, and may provide some cool ammo.
Fundamentalism vs. Showtunes
All I can say is “wow”:http://www.livejournal.com/users/koaloha/29646.html. Maybe the lesson here is that the true strength of our people is in laughter and joy.
Finally, some honesty
I just read the most astute, “honest portrayal of the Iraq situation”:http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2004_0920.html I’ve seen since the whole frenzy started. It’s balanced, it’s backed by facts, and amazingly enough it offers a coherent plan for how to both restore the country and get U.S. troops out of there as soon as possible.
The author? “John Kerry”:http://www.johnkerry.com/. I know, I’m as surprised as anyone.
It really is a good read, and it’s the only thing I’ve read so far that gives me hope of getting out of this quagmire.
Ethics and Embryos
I’m in favor of stem cell research, but it’s interesting to see how various fertility clinics deal with embryos that go unused. This is apparently not something taken lightly.