Finding gene activity differences in identical twins, Ars Technica “They’re called identical twins because their genomes are identical. But even though all of their DNA is the same, they clearly are not. The environment must play a role in how identical twins and everyone else uses their genes to become who they are.” One if by Land, Two if by Space: Astronaut Twins Tantalize Human Research Possibilities in Spaceflight, NASA […]
Keith’s note: It has been more than a month since the Pioneering Space National Summit was held in Washington, DC – an event whose attendees and discussions have remained more or less secret. Other than a paragraph with a bunch of random buzz words nothing has been heard from this group of space illuminati. Its as if their secret meeting never even happened. Now there is yet another closed door, […]
.@StationCDRKelly will see 10,944 sunrises & sunsets on #YearinSpace. Launch is at 3:42pm ET! http://t.co/bWiABIRo3S pic.twitter.com/Nz4hghoyiq — NASA (@NASA) March 27, 2015 Keith’s note: Why is NASA saying that this is going to be a year-long mission? It is not. Close – but not a year. NASA goes out of their way to use simple math on Twitter to make their #YearInSpace point – but – that math also easily […]
Earth-like Tatooines From Star Wars May Be Common “Luke Skywalker’s home in “Star Wars” is the desert planet Tatooine, with twin sunsets because it orbits two stars. So far, only uninhabitable gas-giant planets have been identified circling such binary stars, and many researchers believe rocky planets cannot form there. Now, mathematical simulations show that Earth-like, solid planets such as Tatooine likely exist and may be widespread.”
http://t.co/jOamlzabNf Roscosmos and NASA will create a new orbital station The Russian Govt will examine (cont) http://t.co/pZPLBw4pcG — Dmitry Rogozin (@DRogozin) March 28, 2015
U.S. to modify launch capability deal for Lockheed-Boeing Venture, Reuters “The U.S. Air Force must modify its annual “launch capability” contract with United Launch Alliance, to level the playing field for new competitors of the joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corp and Boeing Co, senior U.S. Air Force and Pentagon officials told lawmakers on Wednesday. … [Air Force Space Command Commander General John Hyten] said the contract made it impossible […]
NASA OIG: NASA’s Management of the Deep Space Network, NASA OIG “Although DSN is meeting its current operational commitments, budget reductions have challenged the Network’s ability to maintain these performance levels and threaten its future reliability. … If budget reductions continue, DSN faces an increased risk that it will be unable to meet future operational commitments or complete the upgrade project on schedule. We also found that NASA, JPL, and […]
Keith’s note: Rory Kronmiller arrived at Everest Base Camp, Nepal this morning along with his specially designed UAS quadricopter. Rory is in Nepal with his brother, Michael who is in Kathmandu. Mike and Rory are in Nepal to test out the use of drones for Search And Rescue and bridge inspection tasks. This is being done as part of a STEM education project between the Bullis School in Maryland and […]
NASA Chooses Plucky Option B for Asteroid Redirect Mission, Space Policy Online “Lightfoot was poised to reveal the Option A versus B choice in December, but when it came time for the press conference, said only that more time was needed. NASA has not publicly stated what came up at the last minute. Rumors are that Option B was the choice then, too. The December press conference was announced with […]
Executive Session – Markup of five bills and three nominations, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation “7. Nomination of Dr. Dava J. Newman, of Massachusetts, to be Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration” Keith’s update: The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee has reported favorably on the nomination of Dava Newman to be NASA Deputy Administrator.