It's cool that this holiday is celebrated outside of not only america but also the world. Just think, in the future we may have turkey on the Moon!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thanksgiving from space
It's cool that this holiday is celebrated outside of not only america but also the world. Just think, in the future we may have turkey on the Moon!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The International Space Station turns 10 this week!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
First ever image of an Exoplanet!!!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Hot Air Balloons in Space?
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Team in lunar X-Prize has big plans for future.
After that launch, they plan to launch FIVE more study possible ice deposits on the lunar poles. This will no doubt cost more than what they would get form the competition, but the president of Astrobotic, David Gump, acknowledge that these mission to the poles and other areas would benefit their investors, with all the data gathered from the rovers sent to many customers and researchers with access.
Their first post X prize plans are to send two rovers to NASA's Tranquility base to search for water (more specifically, ice) in 2011 and 2012. Other ice hunting rovers are expected to launch afterwards, with a "moon dozer" to follow past 2013.
It's also worth noting that they have an idea for a rocket to use, *cough, SpaceX!, Cough*
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Armadillo Aerospace wins $350,000 in Lunar Lander Contest
Teams Armadillo and TrueZerO were the two teams competing this year. In level one, teams had to make their lander travel 50 meters in the air, stay airborne for 90 seconds, travel 50 meters away, and repeat the process within a two and a half period, all remotely I might add.
TrueZerO's lander started off promising, but crashed 18 seconds later. Team Armadillo, with over 3 years of experience, successfully had there lander suspended for 97 seconds, winning the level one prize worth $350,000.
Level two increases the difficulty by requiring the lander to hover twice as long and land on craters, simulating a real lunar landing. TrueZerO was only ready for level one and Armadillo's attempt ended in engine failure.
This still marks a great achievement in the private industry. Armadillos success might inspire other people to get involved also, with Peter Diamandis, Chairman and CEO of the X-prize foundation, saying " There's still $1.65 million left on the table."
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The FAA Approves Rocket Races!
On Tuesday,the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved rocket-powered aircraft to fly in 20 venues across the United States. They will compete what is called the Rocket Racing League (RRL), which people describe as NASCAR-type race in the air. This is the first time the FAA has allowed such aircraft for exhibition flights.
The RRL formed in 2005 and currently has six teams, each with rocket-powered racers fueled with liquid oxygen and kerosene. The league is also going to use the latest technology, as the video on the RRL's website describes. They have already had great success with their rockets, with a public demonstration flight that took place in September.
This means that we are one step closer to cheering for our favorite team roar pass the finish line at sub-sonic speeds, and I definitely can't wait.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Bungie announces Halo 3 Recon at Tokyo Game Show
At around midnight Eastern time on Wednesday, Bungie revealed a new expansion to the halo series, Halo 3 Recon at the Tokyo game show, an annual event held in Japan. Bungie, the developer of the game, previously released a teaser for this two weeks ago, in which dedicated fans speculated what the game will be about.
From the trailer, fans will notice that you will not play as Master Chief, the protagonist of the other Halo games, but instead an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST). The new game will not continue Halo 3's storyline either, but between Halo 2 and Halo 3, where the prophet entered slipspace over New Mombasa, the city in the trailer (this may be an overload of information, but it would be good to play the games and read the books to get the background information).
This game will set to release in fall 2009, so I'll keep you updated.
Monday, October 6, 2008
SpaceX Owner, Elon Musk, says private sector will play a big role in Space
This will be a significant change to how private companies work with NASA. Usually they are under contract to build parts for the space agency, with NASA keeping the hardware at the end.
NASA administrator Michael Griffin is very happy for Musk though, saying that the private sector needs to get involved in space. NASA, however, does not plan to fund SpaceX, since they have to focus on creating their own spacecraft.
No matter the outcome, Elon Musk will join the rank of Richard Branson, owner of the Virgin Galactic space tourist project, and Robert Bigelow, who wants to create a Private space hotel, as pioneering entrepreneurs in space.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
China's Third Manned mission successful
The 20 min long space walk was completed by lead taikonaut, Zhai Zhigang. In that time, he gathered solid samples outside of the spacecraft placed there before it launched. Zhai was very excited about it too, as he said "To all the people in my country and the wold, my greetings." and proudly waved the flag of the republic of China.
Although China officially said that their goal is to build a space station, many people believe that they have started space race with the United States to the moon. I think this is great and will lead to more developments in space.
First Video Game Post: Bungie's Teaser Trailer
I'm happy to bring you the Teaser Trailer that Bungie, the developers of the Halo games, releases last Thursday. For those who do not know, this teaser was the result of a 12 hour countdown on Bungie's site and have many people speculating rather this is for a Halo 3 expansion pack, or a whole new game altogether. Anyway, enjoy a taste of what Bungie is developing for the Xbox 360.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Oh no! the Large Hadron Collider shut down for two months!
Although many scientists say that the LHC will not achieve collisions before the end of the year, others remain optimistic. "It's too early to say whether we'll still be having collisons this year." said James Gillies, chief of communication for CERN (European Center for Nuclear Research). They also say that these setbacks are expected with such a complex experiment and device. Hopefully they can quickly patch the helium area and recool the magnet so we can see the 7 trillon volt collision before the end.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Can Facebook get you a job?
In a recent article, “Status: Looking for work on Facebook”, Stephanie Rosenbloom expresses that employers are using networking sites more in terms of seeking potential candidates. This article interests me because it brings a new aspect of these sites. Marilyn Mackes, an executive director of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, comments that in the past employers were only interested in viewing profiles of who might work for them, but now, “more than half will use the sites to network with potential candidates”.
The article also references several employers and executives who say that the ease of using Facebook and the informality of it allows for a more comfortable and possibly fun experience. More employers, at least for the time being, favor using business sites, like LinkedIn, over social-networking sites. On the other hand, Leila Hebden, whose career is in music management, favors MySpace’s casualness in networking. Music executives even search through social sites, not only finding future singers and musicians, but also promoting themselves, witch would benefit the industry.
Employers are currently taking advantage of the social sites, with real success. Although I do not see myself using Facebook to find my dream job, it is still good to see a different use and people benefiting from this. Perhaps in the future, social networks may have a search feature enabling employers to seamlessly find candidates interested in their field.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
NASA to extend shuttle use after 2010
Large Hadron Rap
Oh, and if anyone was wondering, CERN plans to fully start the LHC September 10.
Who am I?
Feel free to ask me any questions you have. I'm 18 right now and go to UNC. I love learning about science and I'm currently majoring in Physics.