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SteveH
08-23-23, 01:52 PM
Prigozhin’s dead, he just doesn’t know it yet.

Bizarre day

He knows it now

nrc
08-23-23, 06:56 PM
He knows it now

Reports are that his plane fell out a window.

SteveH
11-24-23, 08:25 AM
The three-year cruise is canceled
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/three-year-cruise-canceled/index.html


The cruise was originally due to depart Istanbul, Turkey, on November 1, but shortly before that date, departure was postponed to November 11 and relocated to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and then to November 30, again from Amsterdam. But on November 17 – less than two weeks before the third departure date – passengers were informed the cruise was off.

Some of the passengers who booked the 111 cabins sold are still in Istanbul, having made their way there ahead of the original departure date. Others say they have nowhere to return to, having sold or rented out their homes in anticipation of the round-the-world voyage, as well as jettisoning their possessions.

TravelGal
11-27-23, 04:17 PM
The three-year cruise is canceled
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/three-year-cruise-canceled/index.html

:shakehead::shakehead: So they sold their worldly possessions to said on a ship that had not yet been purchased OR drydocked (who knows what could be found then). This deserves a real :tony: award

TravelGal
01-02-24, 01:25 PM
As I said on my Business Facebook page, this, my friends is why those cabin attendants are there and trained to do more than serve coffee. Everyone escaped with only 17 injuries out of 367 passengers and 12 crew.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/fire-breaks-out-plane-runway-japans-tokyo-haneda-airport-nhk-2024-01-02/

nrc
01-04-24, 11:20 PM
As I said on my Business Facebook page, this, my friends is why those cabin attendants are there and trained to do more than serve coffee. Everyone escaped with only 17 injuries out of 367 passengers and 12 crew.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/fire-breaks-out-plane-runway-japans-tokyo-haneda-airport-nhk-2024-01-02/

It's a blessing that everyone escaped from the airliner. Sad about the Coast Guard crew. I wonder who messed up.

It's good to see that most passengers did not attempt to retrieve their belongings before evacuating as we've seen in some other incidents.

TravelGal
01-06-24, 03:26 PM
If you still have some spare cash after your F1 Las Vegas trip, here's the inaugural Peterson Automotive Museum Rally.

https://www.petersen.org/events/norcalrally

Limited availability for 20 selected teams
Reserve your spot: $12,500 per team (2 people)

Looks like fun to me. I hope it's a success.

SteveH
01-07-24, 05:24 PM
Elusive ‘alligator’-like creature found in treetops of Mexico. It’s a new species
https://news.yahoo.com/elusive-alligator-creature-found-treetops-173259785.html

cameraman
01-10-24, 04:07 PM
Elusive ‘alligator’-like creature found in treetops of Mexico. It’s a new species
https://news.yahoo.com/elusive-alligator-creature-found-treetops-173259785.html

That's a very relative use of “unusually large”. The critter maxes out at just under 10".:laugh:

SteveH
01-19-24, 09:44 PM
Laguna Seca Sued by Rich Neighbors for Being a Race Track
https://www.thedrive.com/news/a-public-nuisance-laguna-secas-neighbors-sue-track-want-it-shut-down

:rolleyes:

SteveH
01-23-24, 06:30 PM
Laguna Seca Lawsuit: Homeowners Perplexed as Iconic Race Track Materializes Overnight (https://www.hagerty.com/media/opinion/laguna-seca-lawsuit-homeowners-perplexed-as-iconic-race-track-materializes-overnight/)


Imagine the shock if, after moving into your home, you discover that a popular and world-renowned race track had materialized overnight in your general vicinity. The horror. You’d rightfully be confused, possibly even enraged at such a happening, and keen to pursue a lawsuit. Believe it or not, this is exactly the phenomenon that unfolded recently. Based on our deepest reporting capabilities, we can find no evidence that WeatherTech Raceway at Laguna Seca ever existed before 2023.

SteveH
01-25-24, 11:01 PM
Lawsuit: Company's board was too deferential to Roger Penske, blew $1B on stock buybacks
https://www.aol.com/lawsuit-companys-board-too-deferential-110542024.html


The lawsuit argues that the board members, including prominent metro Detroit banking executive and Michigan State University trustee Sandy Pierce, were too deferential to Chairman and CEO Roger Penske in allowing him to gain control last year and not demanding that he pay a premium — as someone from outside the company would have likely had to do.

The board members acted in bad faith and failed in their fiduciary duties, according to the lawsuit, which was filed this week in Delaware Chancery Court and seeks class action status for all shareholders.

Oops

SteveH
02-18-24, 08:05 PM
Planes top 800 mph as near-record winds sweep high over Mid-Atlantic
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/planes-top-800-mph-as-near-record-winds-sweep-high-over-mid-atlantic/ar-BB1itub3


Winds roared to speeds of 265 mph high over Washington — at about 35,000 feet above ground, cruising altitude for airplanes — as a powerful jet stream swept over the region late Saturday. These winds allowed at least three commercial aircraft to reach speeds over 800 mph.

nrc
02-20-24, 04:36 AM
Planes top 800 mph as near-record winds sweep high over Mid-Atlantic
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/planes-top-800-mph-as-near-record-winds-sweep-high-over-mid-atlantic/ar-BB1itub3

I wonder what that felt like when they started to descend and came out of that tail wind. :eek:

SteveH
02-20-24, 08:06 AM
I wonder what that felt like when they started to descend and came out of that tail wind. :eek:

My son flew into Sarasota during that time and said it was very bumpy, so I suspect there was a lot of turbulence.

SteveH
02-20-24, 08:15 AM
WORLDS COLLIDE World’s tallest man Sultan Kosen meets shortest living woman & she fit in his shoe – they share unique set of challenges (https://www.the-sun.com/news/10439859/sultan-kosen-jyoti-amge-worlds-tallest-shortest-guiness-book/)

https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/meets-jyoti-amge-shortest-woman-880760189.jpg?w=1240

SteveH
02-20-24, 08:21 AM
When Eyes in the Sky Start Looking Right at You (https://dnyuz.com/2024/02/20/when-eyes-in-the-sky-start-looking-right-at-you/)


For decades, privacy experts have been wary of snooping from space. They feared satellites powerful enough to zoom in on individuals, capturing close-ups that might differentiate adults from children or suited sunbathers from those in a state of nature.

Now, quite suddenly, analysts say, a startup is building a new class of satellite whose cameras would, for the first time, do just that.

SteveH
02-20-24, 08:23 AM
A 5,000-pound satellite is expected to fall to Earth this week (https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/19/world/ers-2-european-space-agency-satellite-reentry-scn/index.html)


A European Space Agency satellite is expected to reenter and largely burn up in Earth’s atmosphere on Wednesday morning. :eek:

SteveH
02-21-24, 03:19 PM
Delta Is Surprising Flyers with Flight Transfers in a Porsche 911 GT3 RS at LAX (https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a46868855/delta-porsche-911-gt3-rs-lax/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_rdt&utm_medium=email&date=022024&utm_campaign=nl34412068&GID=12eee8d9ebd2bd923308a88423b643bdb9f56b803699a7 d94f4a2ef70ccd2657&utm_term=TEST-%20NEW%20TEST%20-%20Sending%20List%20-%20AM%20180D%20Clicks%2C%20NON%20AM%2090D%20Opens% 2C%20Both%20Subbed%20Last%2030D)


Porsche and Delta are teaming up to surprise and delight some Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) passengers with a Porsche 911 GT3 RS ride to their connecting flights. Lucky "select" and "unsuspecting" flyers with tight connections are being whisked away planeside and taken to their flights in the latest Porsche track weapon, Delta says.

devilmaster
02-21-24, 04:17 PM
Delta Is Surprising Flyers with Flight Transfers in a Porsche 911 GT3 RS at LAX

And I had to walk from terminal 3 to terminal 2. :flaming::flaming::flaming:

nissan gtp
02-27-24, 05:31 PM
Delta Is Surprising Flyers with Flight Transfers in a Porsche 911 GT3 RS at LAX (https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a46868855/delta-porsche-911-gt3-rs-lax/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_rdt&utm_medium=email&date=022024&utm_campaign=nl34412068&GID=12eee8d9ebd2bd923308a88423b643bdb9f56b803699a7 d94f4a2ef70ccd2657&utm_term=TEST-%20NEW%20TEST%20-%20Sending%20List%20-%20AM%20180D%20Clicks%2C%20NON%20AM%2090D%20Opens% 2C%20Both%20Subbed%20Last%2030D)

It's probably surprising how slow it has to drive on airport property.

SteveH
03-15-24, 10:07 PM
The drug pilots take to stay awake
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240314-the-drug-pilots-take-to-stay-awake

SteveH
03-21-24, 08:04 AM
Neuralink video shows patient using brain implant to play chess on laptop (https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/21/24107499/neuralink-human-trial-chess-video-brain-computer-interface)


Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface company has released a video purporting to show the first human patient using Neuralink’s brain implant to control a mouse cursor and play a game of chess.

The patient, identified as 29-year-old Noland Arbaugh, said he was injured in a diving accident eight years ago that paralyzed him below the shoulders. Arbaugh describes using the Neuralink implant as like using the Force from the Star Wars franchise, allowing him to “just stare somewhere on the screen” and move the cursor where he wants.

SteveH
05-08-24, 12:19 PM
The ‘world’s largest’ vacuum to suck climate pollution out of the air just opened. Here’s how it works (https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/08/climate/direct-air-capture-plant-iceland-climate-intl/index.html)

Iceland is an extremely cool place. Geothermal and hydro energy is abundant so much so that Iceland is a leading smelter of aluminum. In fact their leading exports are aluminum and fish products. No aluminum is mined on the island!

American Companies Still Make Aluminum. In Iceland. (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/01/us/politics/american-companies-still-make-aluminum-in-iceland.html)


Alcoa, formerly the Aluminum Company of America, and another American company, Century Aluminum, have opened factories like this in Iceland, and closed factories in the United States, for a simple reason: Electricity is much cheaper here.

This year (2017), tiny Iceland is on pace to make more aluminum than the United States. So are its fellow hydropower superpowers, Canada and Norway.

SteveH
05-20-24, 07:43 AM
The Supermarket Scanner Changed the Way We Buy Groceries Forever (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/supermarket-scanner-changed-way-we-buy-groceries-forever-180984293/)


Invented 50 years ago, the curious box deciphered an arcane kind of code to offer shoppers a trip into the future

TravelGal
05-20-24, 11:41 AM
The Supermarket Scanner Changed the Way We Buy Groceries Forever (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/supermarket-scanner-changed-way-we-buy-groceries-forever-180984293/)

It didn't change the way I buy groceries except that there may be fewer people ahead of me in the checkout line.

SteveH
05-22-24, 07:56 AM
Nova explosion visible to the naked eye expected any day now (https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/05/if-you-can-see-the-big-dipper-youll-get-to-see-a-star-go-nova-soon/)


When you look at the northern sky, you can follow the arm of the Big Dipper as it arcs around toward the bright star called Arcturus. Roughly in the middle of that arc, you'll find the Northern Crown constellation, which looks a bit like a smiley face. Sometime between now and September, if you look to the left-hand side of the Northern Crown, what will look like a new star will shine for five days or so.

The eclipse, the aurora borealis and now this. The natural world is quite entertaining this year.

SteveH
06-06-24, 07:10 AM
Danica Patrick Admits Believing The Moon Landing Was Faked By The United States (https://brobible.com/culture/article/danica-patrick-moon-landing-faked/)

SteveH
06-11-24, 11:03 PM
‘Once-in-a-lifetime’ explosion will bring a new star to the night sky
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/11/science/nova-new-star-nasa-scn/index.html


Astronomers are expecting a “new star” to appear in the night sky anytime between now and September in a celestial event that has been years in the making, according to NASA.

nrc
06-12-24, 04:37 PM
‘Once-in-a-lifetime’ explosion will bring a new star to the night sky
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/11/science/nova-new-star-nasa-scn/index.html


"Years in the making." Talk about an understatement.

SteveH
06-12-24, 07:01 PM
Hidden UFO civilization could be on Earth: Harvard researchers
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4717233-hidden-ufo-civilization-could-be-on-earth-harvard-researchers/mlite/


:eek:

SteveH
06-13-24, 09:25 AM
‘Dyson spheres’ were theorized as a way to detect alien life. Scientists say they’ve found potential evidence (https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/13/science/dyson-spheres-alien-life-evidence-scn/index.html)


Freeman Dyson theorized that hypothetical alien megastructures would give off infrared radiation and searching for that byproduct would be a viable method for searching for extraterrestrial life.

SteveH
06-14-24, 12:05 PM
The sun's magnetic field is about to flip. Here's what to expect. (https://www.space.com/sun-magnetic-field-flip-solar-maximum-2024)

Full lunar eclipse
Aurora Borealis
Cicadas
and no this

2024 you've been interesting and not even half over

nrc
06-15-24, 01:02 AM
ChatGPT is Bull****


Recently, there has been considerable interest in large language models: machine learning systems which produce human-like text and dialogue. Applications of these systems have been plagued by persistent inaccuracies in their output; these are often called “AI hallucinations”. We argue that these falsehoods, and the overall activity of large language models, is better understood as bull***** in the sense explored by Frankfurt (On bull*****, Princeton, 2005): the models are in an important way indifferent to the truth of their outputs. We distinguish two ways in which the models can be said to be bull***ters, and argue that they clearly meet at least one of these definitions. We further argue that describing AI misrepresentations as bull**** is both a more useful and more accurate way of predicting and discussing the behaviour of these systems.


https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10676-024-09775-5

Maybe i need to update the language filter now that bull***** is allowed in academic papers. :D

SteveH
06-18-24, 08:19 AM
Mysterious monolith discovered in north Las Vegas Valley (https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/06/17/mysterious-monolith-discovered-north-las-vegas-valley/)

SteveH
06-20-24, 01:46 PM
2 climate activists were arrested after spraying orange paint on Stonehenge
https://www.npr.org/2024/06/19/nx-s1-5012595/climate-activists-arrested-stonehenge

:shakehead:

SteveH
06-20-24, 02:11 PM
Pair held after orange paint sprayed on aircraft
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9eedx9legpo

SteveH
06-20-24, 04:40 PM
A pet donkey disappeared in California five years ago. He’s been spotted living with a herd of wild elk (https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/20/us/donkey-elk-herd-california-cec/index.html)

SteveH
06-24-24, 05:53 PM
NASA astronauts' return on Boeing's spaceship has been delayed repeatedly
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna158577

This eventually be a tense return to Earth

SteveH
06-28-24, 07:44 AM
NASA will pay SpaceX nearly $1 billion to deorbit the International Space Station (https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/06/nasa-will-pay-spacex-nearly-1-billion-to-deorbit-the-international-space-station/)


NASA has awarded an $843 million contract to SpaceX to develop a "US Deorbit Vehicle." This spacecraft will dock to the International Space Station in 2029 and then ensure the large facility makes a controlled reentry through Earth's atmosphere before splashing into the ocean in 2030.

Remember Skylab? (https://www.history.com/news/the-day-skylab-crashed-to-earth-facts-about-the-first-u-s-space-stations-re-entry)

SteveH
07-02-24, 08:45 AM
Firefly is building fast and breaking things on path to a reusable rocket (https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/07/firefly-is-building-fast-and-breaking-things-on-path-to-a-reusable-rocket/)


"For our base design, we're designing around return to launch site propulsive landing," said Merritt d'Elia, manager of propulsion for the MLV program. "We'll iterate through all of these things, but we're fundamentally architecting for reusability. Not just architecting, we're planning to do it."

SteveH
07-10-24, 11:10 AM
Man stopped at customs with 100 live snakes down his pants
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/10/travel/snake-smuggler-trousers-scli-intl/index.html


A man was caught trying to smuggle more than 100 live snakes into mainland China by stuffing them into his pants, according to the country’s customs authority.

Nope

SteveH
07-10-24, 08:57 PM
Northrop Grumman XRQ-73 SHEPARD Demonstrator Breaks Cover
https://theaviationist.com/2024/07/10/northrop-grumman-xrq-73-shepard-demonstrator-breaks-cover/

https://theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/XRQ-73-678x381.jpg

It’s a hybrid!

SteveH
07-11-24, 09:26 AM
Decomposing Behemoth; The Convair XC-99 (https://militarymatters.online/forgotten-aircraft/decomposing-behemoth-the-convair-xc-99/)

https://militarymatters.online/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Xc-99.jpg

Wow, its a double decker!

https://militarymatters.online/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Convair-model-37.png

https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D4D22AQFvLxKhtpRHUA/feedshare-shrink_800/0/1720693944123?e=1723680000&v=beta&t=h6OjSVMZOBtSzHrI_zuHsNPDjqf0kkU5wT3pEk7ciZg

SteveH
07-11-24, 08:51 PM
Model rocket enthusiasts are learning how to do vertical landings
https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/11/24195913/rockets-hobbies-spacex-falcon-9-model-rockets-landings


Two hobbyists show how they can pull off SpaceX’s trick at a smaller scale with custom hardware and a few years of effort.

:cool:

SteveH
07-12-24, 09:10 AM
SpaceX debris crashed onto Canadian farmland, highlighting potential for deadly disaster (https://studyfinds.org/spacex-space-debris-crashed-onto-canadian-farmland/)

TravelGal
07-20-24, 11:37 AM
SpaceX debris crashed onto Canadian farmland, highlighting potential for deadly disaster (https://studyfinds.org/spacex-space-debris-crashed-onto-canadian-farmland/)

What did you expect? All those SciFi TV shows can't be wrong. :tony:

SteveH
07-20-24, 11:53 AM
What did you expect? All those SciFi TV shows can't be wrong. :tony:

Remember SkyLab?

Immortalized by Chicago radio DJ Steve Dahl…

qLoNQNK376E?si=qszu1o0yFyioyJ1_

SteveH
07-22-24, 12:51 PM
Putin is about to lose Russia’s ‘Holy land’ (https://dnyuz.com/2024/07/22/putin-is-about-to-lose-russias-holy-land/)


Last week, the last remaining warship – a Project 1135 class patrol frigate – slunk quietly out of Sevastopol harbour, which had been the main base of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet since 2014. Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk suggested we should “remember this day.”

maybe there is hope after all

SteveH
07-25-24, 05:13 PM
Boeing, NASA may have found ‘root cause’ of Starliner spacecraft’s issues, but astronauts are still in limbo
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/25/science/boeing-starliner-issues-root-cause-testing-nasa/index.html


After weeks of troubleshooting and recent tests meant to replicate the issues plaguing Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, NASA and Boeing officials still aren’t ready to name a return date for the two astronauts piloting the vehicle on its inaugural crewed test flight.

For here am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do

:edit: replaced original article with a better one

SteveH
07-25-24, 09:03 PM
This Man Knows the Truth About Amelia Earhart. Why Doesn’t Anyone Believe Him?
https://apple.news/ANPoFRvSMSaKhhBuC2g2zeg

Great story. I didn’t know the search has continued all these years

SteveH
07-25-24, 11:23 PM
The World's Deepest Voice
https://sonicstate.com/news/2023/01/29/man-with-worlds-deepest-voice/#:~:text=Tim%20Storms%20is%20the%20Guinness,deeper %20on%20other%20planets!).

nrc
07-29-24, 10:13 PM
This Man Knows the Truth About Amelia Earhart. Why Doesn’t Anyone Believe Him?
https://apple.news/ANPoFRvSMSaKhhBuC2g2zeg

Great story. I didn’t know the search has continued all these years

This one pukes because I can't open Apple News on my desktop.

SteveH
07-30-24, 08:15 AM
Sorry Richard. It's a Popular Mechanics article, which is subscription only.

Try this, not as detailed but much the same
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240131-researchers-say-amelia-earharts-long-lost-plane-may-have-just-been-found

SteveH
08-04-24, 05:06 PM
Boeing, NASA may have found ‘root cause’ of Starliner spacecraft’s issues, but astronauts are still in limbo
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/25/science/boeing-starliner-issues-root-cause-testing-nasa/index.html



For here am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do

:edit: replaced original article with a better one

https://x.com/ajtourville/status/1820118331061321828?s=61&t=oFXcsN2wTfApq6UdUB40Qg

SteveH
08-05-24, 03:16 PM
the above tweet may have been a bit premature - but it may not be wrong either

NASA likely to significantly delay the launch of Crew 9 due to Starliner issues (https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/08/nasa-likely-to-significantly-delay-the-launch-of-crew-9-due-to-starliner-issues/)


s of late last week, NASA still had not decided whether the Starliner vehicle, which is built and operated by Boeing, should be used to fly its two crew members home. During its launch and ascent to the space station two months ago, five small thrusters on the Starliner spacecraft failed. After extensive ground testing of the thrusters, as well as some brief in-space firings, NASA had planned to make a decision last week on whether to return Starliner with crew. However, a Flight Readiness Review planned for last Thursday was delayed after internal disagreements at NASA about the safety of Starliner.

SteveH
08-07-24, 06:47 PM
NASA might keep Boeing astronauts on the space station until February — and tap SpaceX to bring them home
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/nasa-considers-keeping-boeing-astronauts-space-station-february-rcna165587


NASA is considering keeping the two astronauts who flew Boeing's capsule to the International Space Station there until February as a result of issues the spaceship encountered midflight. :shakehead:

SteveH
08-07-24, 10:08 PM
https://x.com/jalopnik/status/1820887457677869112?s=61&t=oFXcsN2wTfApq6UdUB40Qg

SteveH
08-16-24, 10:08 AM
NASA acknowledges it cannot quantify risk of Starliner propulsion issues (https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/08/nasa-acknowledges-it-cannot-quantify-risk-of-starliner-propulsion-issues/)


"We don’t have enough insight and data to make some sort of simple black-and-white calculation."

:shakehead:

nrc
08-16-24, 10:30 AM
Remember when we used to make fun of the commies for their crummy spaceships? :D

SteveH
08-22-24, 04:01 PM
There's a Problem With Rescuing the Stranded Astronauts: SpaceX and Boeing Spacesuits Aren't Compatible
https://futurism.com/stranded-astronauts-spacex-boeing-spacesuits-incompatible


For one, Starliner's spacesuits aren't compatible with those used on board SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. That means if the pair were to return on board the SpaceX capsule currently docked to the station, which is one rescue plan under consideration by NASA, they'd be flying without wearing a suit, as NASA confirmed during a teleconference call last week — an unfortunate reality for the space agency that will likely factor into its upcoming decision.

:eek:

nrc
08-24-24, 02:54 PM
There's a Problem With Rescuing the Stranded Astronauts: SpaceX and Boeing Spacesuits Aren't Compatible
https://futurism.com/stranded-astronauts-spacex-boeing-spacesuits-incompatible



:eek:

I saw a community note on that that said they'll just take extra suits for them. Which makes sense but I don't know anything about it.

SteveH
08-24-24, 03:22 PM
NASA decides to keep 2 astronauts in space until February, nixes return on troubled Boeing capsule
https://apnews.com/article/boeing-spacex-nasa-astronauts-starliner-e4e81e5a6c23dee2f8f72260ddea011c

SteveH
09-02-24, 10:22 AM
Inside the 'golden age' of alien hunting at the Green Bank Telescope
https://phys.org/news/2024-09-golden-age-alien-green-bank.html

TravelGal
09-12-24, 09:38 PM
Not really sure where to put this but I was sad to read the Chad McQueen died yesterday (Wednesday). He gave up acting fairly early on and devoted himself to his family and McQueen Racing. No cause of death was given. He was only 63. Gosh those McQueens die early.

SteveH
09-16-24, 08:19 PM
47-year-old Voyager 1 spacecraft just fired up thrusters it hasn’t used in decades
https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/16/science/voyager-1-thruster-issue/index.html

nrc
09-20-24, 12:45 AM
47-year-old Voyager 1 spacecraft just fired up thrusters it hasn’t used in decades
https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/16/science/voyager-1-thruster-issue/index.html

15 billion miles - remarkable.

Elmo T
09-20-24, 09:29 AM
15 billion miles - remarkable.

We see the old photos of Voyager, but what I'd like to see is the Earth based end of the system. The hardware being used. Must be some old school stuff.

And who do they have with the knowledge and experience on such a niche system?

SteveH
09-20-24, 10:16 AM
Three Mile Island is reopening and selling its power to Microsoft (https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/20/energy/three-mile-island-microsoft-ai/index.html)


Constellation Energy announced Friday that its Unit 1 reactor, which closed five years ago, is expected to be revived in 2028, dependent on Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval. Microsoft will purchase the carbon-free energy produced from it to power its data centers to support artificial intelligence.

Actually makes sense. I wonder if we will see a resurgence in nuclear as the power consumption needs increase, probably dramatically.

SteveH
10-11-24, 09:20 AM
In a rare disclosure, the Pentagon provides an update on the X-37B spaceplane (https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/10/the-us-militarys-x-37b-spaceplane-is-preparing-for-a-novel-space-maneuver/)

nrc
10-28-24, 09:58 AM
It seems like the whole "buy American" thing has been turned on it's head. There are zero cars from the the traditional "big three" among the top ten for American content and only two in the top 20.

https://www.cars.com/articles/2023-cars-com-american-made-index-which-cars-are-the-most-american-467465/

https://images.cars.com/cldstatic/wp-content/uploads/AMI2023-map-Final-scaled.jpg

Elmo T
10-29-24, 12:47 PM
It seems like the whole "buy American" thing has been turned on it's head.

I am working thru the budget process now to replace my work truck. Replacing the current Police Ford SUV interceptor with a pick-up truck.

We run into this issue with gov't purchases and the "Buy American" mantra. Is buying a big three vehicle more or less American than an "import" built in the USA?

Our water dept bought a few Toyota pick-ups. The sun still rose the next day.

PD is buying F150 Police Responders. I am leaning into the F150 because it is easier to let the PD do the leg work on pricing and I jump on their purchase.

It was an even bigger issue for admin vehicle purchases. Do I want to buy a small "American" big three car? Is there even a selection anymore?

SteveH
11-01-24, 12:59 PM
Aging spacecraft starts up a radio transmitter it hasn’t used since 1981 from 15 billion miles away
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/01/science/voyager-1-transmitter-issue/index.html


The 47-year-old Voyager 1 spacecraft is back in touch with NASA — but not out of the woods — after a technical issue caused a days-long communications blackout with the historic mission, which is billions of miles away in interstellar space.

Voyager 1 is now using a radio transmitter it hasn’t relied on since 1981 to stay in contact with its team on Earth while engineers work to understand what went wrong.