U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum - Science and Technology http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/ A forum for discussion on Science and Technology en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:19:53 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.USPoliticsOnline.com/images/misc/rss.jpg U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum - Science and Technology http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/ Converting the US to 100% renewable power http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57283-converting-us-100-renewable-power.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:36:58 GMT Its a fairly long article, so I'm not posting much of it, just a teaser.

A Solar Grand Plan: Scientific American

Quote:
The technology is ready. On the following pages we present a grand plan that could provide 69 percent of the U.S.’s electricity and 35 percent of its total energy (which includes transportation) with solar power by 2050. We project that this energy could be sold to consumers at rates equivalent to today’s rates for conventional power sources, about five cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). If wind, biomass and geothermal sources were also developed, renewable energy could provide 100 percent of the nation’s electricity and 90 percent of its energy by 2100.
note: They use "solar" to mean wind, water, tidal, and photovoltaic, because those processes (except tidal) are all driven primarily by the sun. ]]> Science and Technology Disillusioned_1 http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57283-converting-us-100-renewable-power.html <![CDATA[Coming Global Uranium Crisis - We're Running Out]]> http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57263-coming-global-uranium-crisis-were-running-out.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:53:41 GMT It seems that the world might be running out of uranium. The fall back power source that is premised by some as the solution to our energy problems. ---Quote--- Perhaps the most worrying problem is the misconception that uranium is plentiful.... It seems that the world might be running out of uranium. The fall back power source that is premised by some as the solution to our energy problems.

Quote:
Perhaps the most worrying problem is the misconception that uranium is plentiful. The world's nuclear plants today eat through some 65,000 tons of uranium each year. Of this, the mining industry supplies about 40,000 tons. The rest comes from secondary sources such as civilian and military stockpiles, reprocessed fuel and re-enriched uranium. "But without access to the military stocks, the civilian western uranium stocks will be exhausted by 2013, concludes Dittmar.

MIT Technology Review: The Coming Nuclear Crisis
Dr. Michael Dittmar on the Future of Nuclear Energy
http://www.aspo-ireland.org/contentf...6_MDittmar.pdf ]]> Science and Technology CDavidNeely http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57263-coming-global-uranium-crisis-were-running-out.html NASA: Evidence of water found in moon crater http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57185-nasa-evidence-water-found-moon-crater.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:51:36 GMT ---Quote--- *NASA: Evidence of water found in moon crater* LOS ANGELES (AP) - NASA says a spacecraft that was intentionally crashed into the moon has turned up the best evidence yet of water. Scientists have been analyzing a mile-high plume...
Quote:
NASA: Evidence of water found in moon crater

LOS ANGELES (AP) - NASA says a spacecraft that was intentionally crashed into the moon has turned up the best evidence yet of water.

Scientists have been analyzing a mile-high plume of debris kicked up by the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite last month after it crashed into a crater near the moon's south pole.
MORE

That's cool stuff, but I wonder if we will ever go back. I would not be surprised to see the Chinese get there next. ]]> Science and Technology lug-nut http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57185-nasa-evidence-water-found-moon-crater.html When Politics and Technology Collide! http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57178-when-politics-technology-collide.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:09:13 GMT

So here’s an intriguing story that boarders in the realm of politics and sci & technology. For you non tech types & non iPhone users; the iPhone allows for independent software developers to develop programs that Apple calls “Apps” for Applications. There are all manner of apps you can get for your iPhone from Games to apps that help you figure out how much to pay for your tip at a restaurant.

A conservative filmmaker and iPhone app developer (Ray Griggs) created an app that gives the name and phone # of every congresscritter and U.S. Senator in the country along with a bobble head cartoon caricature of them. It will even tell you who the congressperson is for the area based on GPS location data from the phone. Griggs reason for the app is to get young people more involved in the political process by giving them the info they need to contact their representatives in Washington.

Apple apparently has to approve the apps before they will make it available in their app store. After learning of Mr. Griggs app they rejected it because they did not like the cartoon caricature of Nancy Pelosi. The article suggests it is because Nancy Pelosi’s husband who supposedly owns $5 million in Apple stock that may have had bearing on Apples decision.

I can see the political motivations for Apple’s decision and think it's bull shit (especially seeing how the app is apparently non-partisan) but not sure of the business decision behind it if that was all it was. Not sure what to believe as true. YES, I know as a business Apple can do whatever the hell they want but it is still pretty interesting.

Anyhow, was this decision politically motivated or was it purely business?


APPLE'S REJECTION OF IPHONE APP SHOWING POLITICAL CARICATURES RANKLES CREATOR ]]> Science and Technology JoMe http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57178-when-politics-technology-collide.html <![CDATA[Dawkins' "The Greatest Show on Earth" drives home that macroevolution is fact]]> http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57136-dawkins-greatest-show-earth-drives-home-macroevolution-fact.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:45:16 GMT Amazon.com: The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution (9781416594789): Richard Dawkins: Books (http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Show-Earth-Evidence-Evolution/dp/1416594787) RichardDawkins.net... Amazon.com: The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution (9781416594789): Richard Dawkins: Books

RichardDawkins.net

Dawkins compiles an enormous mountain of evidence---molecular, geographic, anatomical, embryological, paleontological, contemporary observational---in this masterpiece, to demonstrate that all life on earth has a common ancestor. Anyone who denies this conclusion, despite the massive amount of evidence supporting said conclusion, falls into the same category as the Geocentrists and Flat Earthers, two other ancient pseudo-sciences. ]]> Science and Technology Rationalist http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57136-dawkins-greatest-show-earth-drives-home-macroevolution-fact.html NASA May Cancel Future Ares Testing http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57034-nasa-may-cancel-future-ares-testing.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:48:12 GMT NASA May Drop Ares I-Y Test Flight (http://spacefellowship.com/2009/11/05/nasa-may-drop-ares-i-y-test-flight/) What a complete waste of money. Human centric space exploration is a waste of time and resources which could be better applied to a... NASA May Drop Ares I-Y Test Flight

What a complete waste of money. Human centric space exploration is a waste of time and resources which could be better applied to a focused approach to robotic exploration. ]]> Science and Technology CDavidNeely http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57034-nasa-may-cancel-future-ares-testing.html New NASA device to make your own parts http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57026-new-nasa-device-make-your-own-parts.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:26:04 GMT For you non Star Trek fans there was a device aboard the ship in which they could make virtually anything they wanted; spare parts, weapons, food, cloths, etc. Now it seems that science reality is kind-of/sort-of catching up to science fiction.... For you non Star Trek fans there was a device aboard the ship in which they could make virtually anything they wanted; spare parts, weapons, food, cloths, etc.

Now it seems that science reality is kind-of/sort-of catching up to science fiction. NASA seems to have developed a device that they can use to fabricate parts and what-not on the fly. For long duration space voyages this definitely can come in handy.

I think if this technology pans out it will be a matter of time before we start to see a consumer version of this for the home improvement types, backyard hobbyist, garage tinkerer.

I know a while ago there was talk about using a similar device make human body parts using a DNA sample from a patient and then the device will literally work like an ink jet printer to build you a new heart, etc. layer by layer. I haven't heard anything about this recently however.


Device Like 'Star Trek' Replicator Might Fly on Space Station ]]> Science and Technology JoMe http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57026-new-nasa-device-make-your-own-parts.html The Universe is a Hologram http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57004-universe-hologram.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:55:24 GMT Well, it's official folks, we don't actually exist...

Holographic universe may herald new era in fundamental physics | Science Blog

Quote:
Craig Hogan, a physicist at Fermilab Centre for Particle Astrophysics in Illinois is convinced that he has found proof in the data of thegravitational wave detector GEO600 of a holographic Universe – and that his ideas could explain mysterious noise in the detector data that has not been explained so far.

The British-German team behind the GEO600, which includes scientists from the School of Physics and Astronomy's Gravitational Physics Group, will now carry out new experiments in the coming months to yield more evidence about Craig Hogan's assumptions. If proved correct, it could help in the quest to bring together quantum mechanics and Einstein's theory of gravity.
]]> Science and Technology turnitup5000db http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/57004-universe-hologram.html NASA completes Ares I-X test flight http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56891-nasa-completes-ares-i-x-test-flight.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:31:01 GMT Image: http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/389936main_launch-1.jpg (http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/389937main_launch-1-lg.jpg)Image: http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/397847main_AIX-Floating226.jpg ...

Youtube video - ARES I-X Launch - 7m58s

Quote:
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Ares I-X test rocket lifted off at 11:30 a.m. EDT Wednesday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a two-minute powered flight. The test flight lasted about six minutes from its launch from the newly modified Launch Complex 39B until splash down of the rocket's booster stage nearly 150 miles down range.

"This is a huge step forward for NASA's exploration goals," said Doug Cooke, associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Ares I-X provides NASA with an enormous amount of data that will be used to improve the design and safety of the next generation of American spaceflight vehicles -- vehicles that could again take humans beyond low Earth orbit."

The 327-foot tall Ares I-X test vehicle produced 2.6 million pounds of thrust to accelerate the rocket to nearly 3 g's and Mach 4.76, just shy of hypersonic speed. It capped its easterly flight at a suborbital altitude of 150,000 feet after the separation of its first stage, a four-segment solid rocket booster.

Parachutes deployed for recovery of the booster and the solid rocket motor will be recovered at sea for later inspection. The simulated upper stage, Orion crew module, and launch abort system will not be recovered.

"The most valuable learning is through experience and observation," said Bob Ess, Ares I-X mission manager. "Tests such as this -- from paper to flight -- are vital in gaining a deeper understanding of the vehicle, from design to development."

Wednesday's flight offered an early opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities, and ground operations - important data for future space vehicles. During the flight, a range of performance data was relayed to the ground and also stored in the onboard flight data recorder. The 700 sensors mounted on the vehicle provide flight test engineering data to correlate with computer models and analysis. The rocket's sensors gathered information in several areas, including assembly and launch operations, separation of the vehicle's first and second stages, controllability and aerodynamics, the re-entry and recovery of the first stage and new vehicle design techniques.

The Ares I-X efforts are led by the Ares I-X mission management office of the Constellation Program, based at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, and NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in Washington. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland designed and built the vehicle's upper stage mass simulator. NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., provided aerodynamic characterization, flight test vehicle integration and the crew module/launch abort system mass simulator. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., with contractor support, provided management for the development of Ares I-X avionics, roll control, and first stage systems. The Kennedy Space Center provided operations and associated ground activities and launch operations.

Contractors for Ares I-X include Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, of Salt Lake City for the first stage solid rocket booster and Teledyne Brown Engineering of Huntsville for the roll control system. Jacobs Engineering of Tullahoma, Tenn., supported by Lockheed Martin of Denver, provided the avionics systems. United Space Alliance of Houston and ATK Launch Systems support the ground systems and launch operations.

For information about Ares I-X, visit: NASA - ARESIX
I'm sold. I had doubts on the affordability of getting the concept platform to fly, and the utility of it. But this flight proves the concept, its just a matter plugging in the wanted bells and whistles. Why its going to take 4 years, a whole administration, and 2 Congresses untill the next test flight I don't know. ]]> Science and Technology Commodore http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56891-nasa-completes-ares-i-x-test-flight.html For those buying laptops http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56889-those-buying-laptops.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:00:07 GMT Here is something to bear in mind: The Crapware Con | Analysis | Features | PC Pro (http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/352927/the-crapware-con) This reviews a cross section of major manufacturers. If you are not technically proficient to the... Here is something to bear in mind:

The Crapware Con | Analysis | Features | PC Pro

This reviews a cross section of major manufacturers. If you are not technically proficient to the point of reinstalling your OS or selectively disabling startup programs, this is probably one of the most important, if not the most important, consideration. It reviews the amount of "crapware" installed from computer manufacturers. Crapware is third party software that the manufacturer gets paid to stick on there. Some is actually helpful and beneficial while some is simply annoying and useless. But, all of it slows you down.

Enough stuff on there that you don't need, and even a machine with good hardware will crawl along as you do things, causing a bad experience. According to the article, the brands that do well are Dell and Asus with HP, Sony, and Acer being at the other end of the spectrum (Apple has no crapware at all, but that's a bit of a misleading stat since Apple does the hardware and software, so, by definition, nothing they put on is "crapware").

This crapware can mean the difference between a 45 second and a 150 second boot time. It can mean the difference between slowdown (thrashing) with six open applications or only three. ]]> Science and Technology drgoodtrips http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56889-those-buying-laptops.html Life that eats CO2 and poops Gasoline http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56670-life-eats-co2-poops-gasoline.html Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:43:37 GMT Biotech is reaching a point where many philosophical ideas are coming into play. One important development is that scientists are taking baby steps (but giant leaps for mankind) at creating artificial organisms, ones where the genetic code is... Biotech is reaching a point where many philosophical ideas are coming into play. One important development is that scientists are taking baby steps (but giant leaps for mankind) at creating artificial organisms, ones where the genetic code is designed from the ground up, ala 'designer life'. This is different than just cross-breeding corn or gene-splicing bacteria. This is the production of an organism from scratch in terms of its genetic code, the result being whatever scientists want it to be, limited only by our understanding of the process.

Craig Venter, made famous for being the lead researcher for sequencing the human genome has been a very busy guy in this effort.

One of the most practical outcomes of this type of research might soon be algae/bacteria that can consume waste products (especially CO2) and produce fuel as waste. (This isn't really a philosophical stretch since coal and oil are probably ancient waste products of life).

Craig Venter is on the verge of creating synthetic life | Video on TED.com

(the whole talk is ~20 minutes and very interesting, he gets into the fuel portion of it at about 13 minutes).

Exxon is committed to investing as much as $600 Million into this fuel producing technology (which says its probably damn near being a very real thing).

'Green goo' biofuel gets a boost - CNN.com
Exxon, DNA pioneer join on algae biofuels - CNN.com ]]> Science and Technology Disillusioned_1 http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56670-life-eats-co2-poops-gasoline.html NASA Spinoffs - NASA Techbriefs http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56579-nasa-spinoffs-nasa-techbriefs.html Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:45:47 GMT Greetings and Felicitations, There have been several posts made in the science and technology sub-forum which question what good is NASA and space exploration. If you want to get a good lesson in what kinds of things are utilized by NASA and some... Greetings and Felicitations,

There have been several posts made in the science and technology sub-forum which question what good is NASA and space exploration. If you want to get a good lesson in what kinds of things are utilized by NASA and some things that are spinoffs directly from NASA projects there is a website you can go to.

Nasa Tech Briefs :: Nasa Tech Briefs

You can even get a free magazine delivered to your door which chronicles the changes for some fun at home reading. At least its fun for me:

NASA Tech Briefs - Free Subscription Form

Sincerely Yours,
C. David Neely ]]> Science and Technology CDavidNeely http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56579-nasa-spinoffs-nasa-techbriefs.html Well, This Is Money Well Spent... http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56499-well-money-well-spent.html Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:10:30 GMT Well, it seems as though we don't have enough silly bullshit to spend our money on, so we're going to start bombing the moon.

On NBC Nightly News, they reported the cost for this to be $79 million.

I'm sorry, I just fail to see the benefit here... ]]> Science and Technology Steve http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56499-well-money-well-spent.html What is Nanotechnology? http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56491-what-nanotechnology.html Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:36:45 GMT I have been reading about companies that invest in nanotechnology, and after carefully looking at various definitions, I still do not understand what it is. Would anyone like to add to my tiny store of knowledge on the subject? I have been reading about companies that invest in nanotechnology, and after carefully looking at various definitions, I still do not understand what it is.

Would anyone like to add to my tiny store of knowledge on the subject? ]]> Science and Technology Tim http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56491-what-nanotechnology.html <![CDATA[LCROSS Viewer's Guide]]> http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56478-lcross-viewers-guide.html Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:34:03 GMT

Early Friday morning (4:30 am PDT, 8:30 Eastern), NASA's Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) spacecraft, and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's (LRO) Centaur upper stage will collide with the Cabeus crater near the Lunar South Pole.

Quote:
On final approach, the Shepherding Spacecraft (LCROSS) and Centaur will separate and the Centaur upper stage will act as a heavy impactor to create a debris plume that will rise above the lunar surface. Following four minutes after impact of the Centaur upper stage, the Shepherding Spacecraft will fly through this debris plume, collecting and relaying data back to Earth before impacting the lunar surface and creating a second debris plume. NASA expects the impact velocity will be over 9,000 km/h (5,600 mph). The Centaur impact will excavate greater than 350 tonnes of lunar material and create a crater 20 m (66 feet) in diameter to a depth of 4 m (13 feet). The Shepherding Spacecraft impact will excavate an estimated 150 tonnes and with a crater 14 m (46 feet) in diameter to a depth of 2 m (6 feet).

It is hoped that spectral analysis of the resulting impact plume will help to confirm preliminary findings by the Clementine and Lunar Prospector missions which hinted that there may be water ice in the permanently shadowed regions. LCROSS will fly through the debris plume and will then crash itself into a different part of the crater approximately four minutes after the Centaur impact.
Coverage begins 7:15 AM eastern on NASA TV, with the Centaur impact at 8:30 EST. Anyone with a telescope 10" and larger west of the Mississippi should still have enough darkness to see it.

Retaliatory strikes are expected shortly thereafter. :scared: ]]> Science and Technology Commodore http://www.uspoliticsonline.com/science-technology/56478-lcross-viewers-guide.html