Disqus - Latest Comments for QuarkSpin

Re: Quick update for some good news

QuarkSpin — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 11:39:52 -0000

As the great sage Tom Petty once said, "The waiting is the hardest part." Y'all are awesome!

Re: Paying the toll

QuarkSpin — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 11:38:30 -0000

Y'all are awesome! I can't imagine the physical/mental/emotional cost being paid along with the financial burden. Thank you for being willing to share your story with all of us. We're in your corner, cheering you on all the way. P.S. The socks are cool!

Re: Take Off the Label

QuarkSpin — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 10:28:02 -0000

Wow. Once again your writing pierces the heart, Melissa. As for "come as you are", you and I have a mutual friend who said something very similar at one time --> Matthew 11:28

Grace and peace to you, my friend. And hugs.

Re: Why Jacob Coker?

QuarkSpin — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 17:20:02 -0000

I'm not from Missouri, but I will go ahead and say it. Show me.

Re: 5 Life Lessons From a Target Bathing Suit, Sketchy Locals, and the Sea

QuarkSpin — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 17:26:21 -0000

Men digging holes. Literally and figuratively. Yep.

Re: Not Just Pigs In Space: The Muppets’ Most Sci-Fi Moments

QuarkSpin — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 12:18:25 -0000

What?! No mention of The Land of Gorch skits from SNL?

Re: 2nd Coming of Space - Spacevidcast

QuarkSpin — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 17:08:20 -0000

I agree that we're seeing a "second phase" in space exploration. To be able to back the local college's CubeSat project or ARKYD (I've done both) is pretty cool.

I would like to make one observation. During the opening sequence for the Olympic opening ceremonies at Sochi, 5 of the letters were related to space exploration. They also had 6 (I believe) cosmonauts carrying the flags AND a Soyuz and other space elements as a part of the "history" section of the ceremonies.

It's obvious that space exploration means a lot to the Russian people. Does it hold the same place of honor/awe here in the United States? Why or why not?

Re: Destinations or Infrastructure? Spacevidcast Live 7.02

QuarkSpin — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 20:35:39 -0000

The SLS approach shares some similarities to the Space Shuttle system. Shuttle was developed (and redone several times) to meet "customer" needs - or at least perceived needs. The "payoff" from paying customers didn't happen for quite some time after Shuttle began to fly, and the "destination" trips (ISS assembly) didn't start until well into the Shuttle program. The Shuttle program itself never met the projected yearly number of launches. I'm not defending SLS or dissing Shuttle, but it looks like NASA is headed back into some bad old habits, thanks to Congress.

The other infrastructure question that I'm not hearing addressed is ground-based launch facilities and schedules. In the 7.01 episode you talked about 2014 being a groundbreaking year. What happens when all of the New Space companies truly get geared up and have customers lined up with payloads ready to be launched? You've seen how difficult (at times) it is to schedule launches at Cape Canaveral now. You've also seen some of the fights between New Space companies and working lease deals with NASA for launch facilities. It's exciting to see "alternate" launch sites starting to be utilized. Better get busy building more spaceports, boys!

Re: This Town Celebrates Every New Year with a Falling Meteor

QuarkSpin — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 11:25:45 -0000

Yep, between the Meteor Drop in Wetumpka and the MoonPie Drop in Mobile, we have almost all of the bases covered. Now if we could only organize a NYE test firing of an F-1 engine in Huntsville every year...

Re: A Visit to Marshall Space Flight Center

QuarkSpin — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 09:48:20 -0000

Awesome! There is so much that goes on at MSFC that people don't know about. People also forget that we're still building rockets in Alabama. Thanks for sharing about your trip. :-)

Re: Spacevidcast ›› For the space geek in all of usDoes SciFi help SciFact? - Spacevidcast Live 6.14 » Spacevidcast

QuarkSpin — Sun, 26 May 2013 12:37:07 -0000

I think that science fiction does help science fact, although it takes reality a "little while" to catch up. I think about things like data pads in Asimov's Foundation trilogy (which also mentioned blasters, which haven't happened yet), Asimov's robots (and the three Laws of Robotics), Clarke's science FACT paper on satellites with geocentric orbits, Verne's atomic submarine, Star Trek communicators (which our smartphones appear to have surpassed) - the list goes on and on.

I for one am glad for those who are inspired by science fiction to build science (and engineering) fact. Last week I underwent a procedure using a Holmium laser, which is a YAG type laser that uses a frequency that works well when transmitted through a very thin fiber optic cable. It was used to break up a very large kidney stone (and hopefully they will use it again successfully this week on another stone). It sure beats trying to pass the stone or having to be cut open. Thank you, science fiction!

P.S. Is it just me, or does anyone else smile when they look at the Flash Gordon-like design of SpaceShipOne?

Re: Spacevidcast ›› For the space geek in all of us » Spacevidcast Live with the Google Lunar X-PRIZE – 6.06

QuarkSpin — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:40:38 -0000

OK -- after much thought (and some more digging), here is my bold prediction for GLXP. First, let me state that I am a HUGE fan of GLXP and also normally a "glass half full" kind of guy. Having said that, I predict that the prize goes unclaimed by the end of 2015. I think there will be at least one team that actually makes an attempt (maybe two) but will be unsuccessful.

I really, really hope that I have to eat my words (or at least three or four double-decker MoonPies with nothing to drink as penance). Spaceflight is hard work and risky. What these teams are attempting to to is pretty amazing. Why to you think it normally takes an organization like JPL to manage a spacecraft project?

Re: Spacevidcast ›› For the space geek in all of us » Amazing space news from around the world – 6.04

QuarkSpin — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 18:36:37 -0000

So the question was asked - who will win the Google Lunar X Prize? Since the scorecard is no longer being maintained (I for one miss it but understand why), it's even more difficult to dig around and really determine what's going on. I know the conventional wisdom has shown Astrobotic in the lead for some time. My heart is with Rocket City Space Pioneers (who has now teamed up with Moon Express). If you live in Alabama, you have to pull for the home team. I do agree with what was said in the chatroom -- we're all just anxious for SOMEBODY to win the prize!
I'd love to see Leo come on SVC and talk about the current state of GLXP. I would hope that DJ. Dr. P, Amanda and Mike F. would feel comfortable hanging out in the chat room and chiming in as well. In fact, I think it would be great if some GLXP team members would consider hanging out in the chat room!

Re: Spacevidcast ›› For the space geek in all of us » Kickstarting a Space Program – 6.03

QuarkSpin — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:58:20 -0000

Well. apparently someone thinks that Kickstarter is a viable means for funding a space program: http://www.kickstarter.com/...

Re: Spacevidcast ›› For the space geek in all of us » Kickstarting a Space Program – 6.03

QuarkSpin — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:13:52 -0000

Marcus, I like your idea of concentrating one one thing, like a space station instead of having to be concerned with the whole package. Take a look back at what Bigelow did with Genesis I and Genesis II. They made it possible for people to include (for a fee) "stuff" (business cards, pictures, etc.) which was documented. A pretty cool way to help fund the project.

Re: Spacevidcast ›› For the space geek in all of us » Kickstarting a Space Program – 6.03

QuarkSpin — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:05:53 -0000

The good thing about Kickstarter is that it provides a forum for stating your business case to the public - or at least part of it. The bad news is that Kickstarter in return is going to take a percentage of the funds that you raise. The other question is this: Do you lay out your whole plan, or do you ask for funding for a specific task/project, with stretch goals listed as well?

Re: Spacevidcast ›› For the space geek in all of us » Kickstarting a Space Program – 6.03

QuarkSpin — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:43:26 -0000

I went back after the show to do some checking on GLXP teams. Two GLXP teams (Part-Time Scientists and Omega Envoy) have failed Kickstarter campaigns. One GLXP team (JURBAN) announced a corporate sponsorship in the works with MoonPie in 2011 but hasn't posted a followup since.

I know that several of the GLXP teams have partnership agreements with companies (for technical assistance, etc.), but it looks like trying to use a Kickstarter campaign or a NASCAR-sponsorship approach to building a space program is a tough go.

Re: Why Buying Digital Sucks in 2011: A preface, and an anecdote about Kindle books

QuarkSpin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:06:57 -0000

It makes no sense to me, either. We have two Kindles in our home, neither of which belong to me. I have a Kindle reader loaded on my netbook, but it gets very little use. Why? Because I too am a "tactile" reader AND like you I have also discovered the "dark secret" behind Kindle book pricing. I also have access to a HUGE used book store that is just a short drive from the house. Even if I factor in the cost of gas, I win.

I haven't written any "strongly worded letters" to any of the publishing houses involved, but I do try to avoid them when I see tactics like this. Being able to buy physical copies of books at a "steal" in the aftermarket gives me some sense of pleasure. Sadly, I think books will go away at some point. Hopefully not soon.

Re: Pale Blue Dots: Iconic Images of Earth From Space

QuarkSpin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:21:57 -0000

Being an "Apollo kid", I remember both the Earthrise and the blue marble images. The Earthrise image was made into a postage stamp. The blue marble image was made into a poster that hung in countless classrooms/kid's rooms/dorm rooms. I have a First Day cover of the postage stamp and I may even have a blue marble poster somewhere...

Re: The Launch Pad: Contest! Guess the New Countries in the Competition

QuarkSpin — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:19:57 -0000

I'd say Brazil, India, French Guiana, Singapore.

Re: The Launch Pad: Ending One Part of a Journey, Starting Another

QuarkSpin — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:58:43 -0000

As a GLXP supporter, I am stoked about Thursday! It has been fun to watch the excitement build across the teams. This should be an exctiting "ride"!

I appreciate all that Will (AKA DJ Dr. P) has done for GLXP. I know that he will do well in any position within the New Space structure. I just hope that the GLXP folks will bring back Will to provide commentary when the teams start sending bots to the Moon!

Re: The Launch Pad: Google Lunar X PRIZE: Team Numbers and Statistics

QuarkSpin — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:21:24 -0000

When all is said and done, I think you'll end up with 23 active, fully registered teams. I hope the number is higher, though!

Re: http://momscancer.tumblr.com/post/2319182400

QuarkSpin — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 07:20:49 -0000

Smackdown! G_d is good!!

Re: The Launch Pad: Moonpies in the Skies

QuarkSpin — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:48:19 -0000

MoonPies have been a Mobile Mardi Gras throw item since 1974, when Cracker Jacks were banned (I'm not making this up). Krewes "distribute" tons of MoonPies. They have had a MoonPie "drop" using a temporary structure for the last couple of years in Mobile. I might have to drive down to see this technological wonder in action!

Re: The Launch Pad: 2010 Boy Scout Jamboree: Help Wanted!

QuarkSpin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:47:19 -0000

I like design #1.