I’ve got an account (and so does the book), but I almost never visit the site. And I’ve never installed the app on my phone or tablet. Here’s why.
Category Archives: Technology and Society
Planetary Protection
…is not required by Article IX of the Outer Space Treaty. I suspect a lot of people at COPUOS would disagree.
[Update a while later]
Sorry, bad link fixed.
Autoimmune Diseases
We’re gaining a new understanding of them. Faster, please.
A Harbinger For Space Policy?
Trump apparently is impressed with commercial space.
Beyond Faraday
This seems like a huge breakthrough: A radically new type of miniaturized inductor.
Stratolaunch
…wants to use Birdzilla to launch a reusable spaceplane.
Not sure what this means, though:
The Black Ice space plane — should it be built — would be about as big as the former space shuttle developed by NASA and capable of staying up for at least three days.
What does “as big” mean? Similar dimensions to a Shuttle orbiter? If it has to carry propellant, it won’t have much payload. I wonder what kind of GLOW that aircraft can handle?
[Update a few minutes later]
Here’s another story on the subject from Eric Berger. Haven’t looked at comments yet, but there may be some discussion of performance there.
America’s Steel Superiority
This reminds me of my piece on how the auto industry did the same thing to itself. Once it had done so, it was easy for foreigners to compete, with or without subsidies.
NASA Needs A Reset
I agree, it’s long overdue. Fundamentally, the space establishment cannot let go of the Apollo paradigm, but it will have to, or be completely left behind.
How To Photograph A Rocket Launch
Beautiful imagery from Trevor, who I met at the launch.
Health Advocates
Are they finally wising up to risk?
If so, it probably won’t last long, based on history.