SpaceShipOne finishes first flight during my morning coffee

Space.com: Tense Moments During Trailblazing Private Space Flight
By Leonard David
Senior Space Writer
posted: 29 September 2004 11:28 am ET
Updated at 11:55 a.m. ET

MOJAVE, CALIFORNIA – In a mission that could herald a new era of space tourism, a privately built, three-person rocket ship flew to space and back today. The event was the first of two flights scheduled to capture the $10 million Ansari X Prize.

The mission had tense moments as the craft appeared to make an unscripted roll near the top of its flight.

The X Prize money goes to the first privately built vehicle that can haul a pilot and two passengers to the edge of space, then repeat the feat within two weeks, in this case by Oct. 13. SpaceShipOne’s design team, Scaled Composites, based here at the Mojave Spaceport, said before the flight that they were ready to turn the vehicle around for reflight, perhaps making the second rocket run Oct. 4.

Trouble at the top?

Under clear desert skies here, SpaceShipOne was under the controls of a single pilot, but it was weighted as if three people were aboard.

Slung underneath the White Knight carrier aircraft, SpaceShipOne and its pilot, Mike Melvill, headed down the runway just after daybreak and lifted off to the cheers of thousands of gathered well-wishers. The joined vehicles made a slow spiraling ascent high above the desert landscape. The White Knight then released SpaceShipOne. After dropping and gliding a few seconds, Melvill ignited the vehicle’s hybrid rocket motor.

The target was 62.5 miles (100 kilometers) altitude – a sky-high goal required by the X Prize Foundation of St. Louis, Missouri in order to vie for the cash prize. The altitude is generally considered to be the threshold of space.

The unofficial altitude reached was 330,000 feet. That's 62.5 miles (100.5 kilometers).

SpaceShipOne appeared to go into an unexpected roll and shut down its main engine sooner than expected, following the high-altitude drop. Commentators in a live webcast were concerned.

"It appeared there were some wrinkles" near the apex of the flight, said webcast commentator Jim Scott. He and a colleague repeatedly expressed concern for the welfare of Melvill.

It is not yet clear what the problem was, however. Melvill did indeed turn the spaceship into an airplane, as planned, and then glided down.

SpaceShipOne returned later in the morning and landed on the same runway.

Space Tourism to come?

Curious onlookers and space tourism promoters were on hand for the historic flight.

The White Knight carrier plane was emblazoned with the logo of Virgin Galactic, which earlier this week announced it would contract for a variant of SpaceShipOne to carry paying tourists into space.

Robert Bigelow, billionaire hotel magnate and space tourism promoter, said this about SpaceShipOne this morning: "I'm impressed with the sheer speed of the vehicle." It goes over Mach 3 (Mach 1 is the speed of sound) and is privately built. "That's an accomplishment in itself besides all the other things it'll do today."

Bigelow this week announced a new prize of $50 million for the first private group that can build an orbiting, passenger-carrying spacecraft.

Wayne Stacy, 36, a coach and sports science professor from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, just came to the Mojave to watch a bit of history.

"I missed class for this, but the students did not seem to mind," Stacy said. He saw first SpaceShipOne spaceflight on television in June. "It was just amazing. I just had to be here to see what is one of the most significant events of our time." Stacy thinks the space tourism industry "is already going. But we need events like this to create awareness outside the space community."

Verification required

Whether or not the vehicle "made the grade" so to speak, will be verified by independent methods, said X Prize Foundation head, Peter Diamandis, in a pre-flight interview with SPACE.com.

At least three independent methods, two radar tracking systems, and an onboard "gold box" will be utilized to verify flight conditions of SpaceShipOne as it makes its suborbital trek, Diamandis said.

More than a dozen teams around the globe are building, testing, and flying hardware to compete for the Ansari X Prize, an offer that expires at year’s end. The X Prize Foundation hopes to jump-start the space tourism industry through competition among entrepreneurs and rocket experts.

SPACE.com's Anthony Duignan-Cabrera and Robert Roy Britt contributed to this report.

Moses is Val Kilmer

In a truly California followup to this post... (Jen's perspective)

I was intrigued enough to want to actually see the new Ten Commandments musical. Jen was not. I found a buddy to go with me. He got called out of town on science business. Jen got to go anyway.

Did I mention that I inadvertantly bought tickets for "premiere night"?

After our usual parking for free in Hollywood kung fu, we approach the Kodak Theater on foot. Isn't this the place where they do the Oscars? Why is it in a mall?

But I digress. There was a huge crowd out front. We get to jump the line because I already had tickets in hand, but that means that we're propelled onto the red carpet. Bright lights and camera people probably wondering who we were and taking photos anyway. Jen heard some paparazzi or another call out for Andy Dick. I was too blinded and just wanted to get the heck out of there.

Inside, we adjusted a bit to the madness of the lobby. I settled back a bit to do some hollywood star-peeping. I recognized the senator from X-Men, Bruce Davison, and James Avery and Joseph Marcell, the uncle and butler from Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Jen caught sight of Gary Coleman before I did. According to various "fashion photos", there were plenty other celebrities but they hid well. I remember Lucy Lawless's crazy flowerprint red dress, but didn't recognize her at the time. I

The show itself was actually quite good. There was a focus on a brotherly rivalry between Ramses and Moses. Most of the God stuff was incidental or downplayed. The bush burned but didn't speak, for instance. I fear the "dance" number for the orgiastic worship of the golden calf might keep this from being a family musical in Disney Square Broadway.

Almost forgot...after the first act, the theater gave us new seats. Somehow, we had the luck of moving from Mezzanine 3 (top most nosebleed seats) where we had excellent views of the dance numbers to Parterre Center, only 20 rows back from the stage. The Glitterati around us where probably confused where we came from, especially the large man in suit with his two dates next to me and the french women behind us talking about their latest video shoot.

Only in LA.

Stunned Speechless, But Still Wanting Some

(check out the Industry news in the right column, especially for "Impulse Becomes First Kosher Energy Drink")

...

BevNET.com - Pepsi-Cola North America Unveils Two Limited-Time Offerings: 'Mountain Dew Pitch Black' and 'Pepsi Holiday Spice'

Posted: 8/5/2004 10:44:37 AM

PURCHASE, N.Y. - August 5, 2004 - Capitalizing on the success of its first limited-time soft-drink offering, Mountain Dew LiveWire, Pepsi-Cola North America today announced that it will launch two new soft drinks this year for brief, "in-and-out" plays. The first, Mountain Dew Pitch Black, will launch in late August and stay on store shelves through Halloween. Then, just in time for the holidays, Pepsi Holiday Spice will hit stores November 1 for an eight-week appearance through the end of the year.

Both products come at a time when consumers are seeking variety. More than half of all soft-drink buyers purchase six or more different brands and more than 80% of soft-drink buyers purchase three or more brands.

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

Mountain Dew Pitch Black combines the great taste of Mountain Dew with a blast of black grape flavor. It follows in the footsteps of Mountain Dew LiveWire, which grew the Mountain Dew trademark more than 10% during its inaugural six-month run in 2003. Building on that successful strategy, Mountain Dew Pitch Black will capitalize on excitement leading up to Halloween with a shorter, 10-week on-shelf stretch beginning August 21.

In addition to Mountain Dew Pitch Black's spooky package graphics and in-store displays, a theatre commercial - parodying "B" horror movies - will support the new brand in 4,000 movie theatres. Additional marketing support includes an Internet "Dewsletter" and product sampling at General Growth Properties malls and at this week's ESPN X Games in Los Angeles. Mountain Dew Pitch Black will be available in 20-oz bottles, 2-liter bottles and 12-packs of 12-ounce cans.

Spice up the Holidays

Just in time for the holidays, Pepsi will launch Pepsi Holiday Spice - Pepsi-Cola with a spicy finish of ginger and cinnamon - to give consumers a new seasonal treat during a time of celebration. Testing revealed that the spice concept fits with Pepsi's image as "new," "different," and "innovative," while the flavors have a strong connection with cola. Featuring nostalgic package graphics, Pepsi Holiday Spice will be available in the U.S. for an eight-week period (November 1 - December 31) in 20-ounce bottles, 2-liter bottles and 12-packs of 12-ounce cans.

"People like new products - they're much more interested in variety nowadays than they were just a few years ago," said Dave Burwick, SVP and chief marketing officer of Pepsi-Cola North America. "By introducing new flavors for a short period of time, then taking them away, we're meeting the wants and needs of soft-drink consumers while playing directly to their purchasing patterns."

Purchase, N.Y.-based Pepsi-Cola North America (www.pepsi.com) is the $4 billion refreshment beverage unit of PepsiCo Inc. in the United States and Canada. Its U.S. brands include Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Edge, Pepsi ONE, Wild Cherry Pepsi, Pepsi Twist, Pepsi Vanilla, Mountain Dew, Mountain Dew Code Red, Mountain Dew LiveWire, Sierra Mist, Mug, Slice, Aquafina, Dole single-serve juices, Tropicana Juice Drinks and SoBe. The company also makes and markets North America's best-selling ready-to-drink iced teas and coffees, respectively, via joint ventures with Lipton and Starbucks.

Source: Pepsi-Cola North America

Update on the horrible Terri Schiavo case in Florida

A followup to this...

BBC NEWS | Americas | Coma woman intervention 'illegal'
Published: 2004/09/24 10:13:30 GMT
© BBC MMIV

Florida Governor Jeb Bush acted illegally by intervening to keep a brain-damaged woman alive against her husband's wishes, a court has ruled.

The decision by the Florida Supreme Court means Terri Schiavo's fate is again uncertain, 14 years after she fell unconscious after a heart attack.

Mrs Schiavo's parents have battled to keep her alive, and gained the support of Mr Bush. He may yet go to appeal.

He brought in a law last year allowing him to insist she be kept alive.

After "Terri's Law" was passed, her feeding tube was reinserted, six days after it had been removed with a judge's approval.

But the Supreme Court on Thursday declared the law "unconstitutional as a violation of separation of powers, as a violation of the right of privacy and as unconstitutional retroactive legislation".
Mrs Schiavo's husband Michael has argued for years that he wants her to be allowed to die humanely.

Florida's state constitution protects the right of terminally ill patients to die "with dignity."

Guardian status

The woman's parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, have long fought to keep her alive, saying she has given signs of consciousness, and could recover over time.

But the court said on Thursday: "Medicine cannot cure this condition. Unless an act of God, a true miracle, were to recreate her brain, Theresa will always remain in an unconscious, reflexive state."

A spokeswoman for Mr Bush, the brother of President George Bush, said lawyers were considering whether to ask the Florida Supreme Court to rehear the case, or appeal to the US Supreme Court.

Even if that does not happen, Mr Schiavo may not be able to allow his wife to die immediately.

Lawyers for her parents are trying in another case to have his status as her legal guardian removed.

Study Shows Beer Has Same Benefits As Red Wine

Study Shows Beer Has Same Benefits As Red Wine

Sep 14th, 2004

Beer drinkers can toast the news that their favourite beverage possesses the same benefits as red wine, the alcohol long celebrated for its antioxidant properties.

Researchers at The University of Western Ontario have found one drink of beer or wine provides equivalent increases in plasma antioxidant activity, which helps prevent the oxidization of blood plasma by toxic free radicals that trigger many aging diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and cataracts.

Biochemistry and kinesiology professor John Trevithick, one of the lead researchers and a long-time expert on the role of antioxidants in human health, says, “We were very surprised one drink of beer or stout contributed an equal amount of antioxidant benefit as wine, especially since red wine contains about 20 times the amount of polyphenols as beer.”

Polyphenols are the compounds in plants that help prevent UV damage from the sun and make the plant cell wall strong. They are believed to have antioxidant benefits when consumed by the human body. Even though red wine contains more polyphenols than beer, this study showed the body absorbs about equally effective amounts of bioactive molecules such as polyphenols from beer and wine. Beer, wine, stout, and matured spirits (rum, whisky, sherry and port), which extract tannins from the oak casks they are matured or stored in, all contain significant amounts of polyphenols.

While studies have shown one daily drink of almost any alcoholic beverage can help reduce the risk of many aging diseases, Trevithick cautions larger daily intakes (three drinks per day) actually increase the risk of these diseases. His study suggests the risk is increased because three drinks result in the blood becoming pro-oxidant. This phenomenon is known as “hormesis”, the concept that small doses of a toxic substance can have beneficial effects while a large amount is harmful

The study will be published in the journal Nonlinearity in Biology, Toxicology and Medicine this December. Trevithick is cross-appointed in the School of Kinesiology in the Faculty of Health Sciences and in the Schulich School of Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

For more information, please contact John Trevithick at (519) 661-3063 (office),
(519) 472-8518 (home) or trevjohn@uwo.ca; or Christine Roulston, Communications & Public Affairs, at (519) 661-2111 ext. 85165 or croulst@uwo.ca.

Note to broadcasters: Western has a VideoRoute service and can arrange live broadcast interviews. Please call (519) 661-2111 ext. 85165 for more information.

(as /.ed)

Fellowship of the Peep

As the bookmark cleaning continues...

Fellowship of the Peep

Chapter 9 up recently. And their acknowledgements section is excellent:

Unknown Anglo-Saxon Poet (Beowulf)

Bush's Convention Speech, Edited for Clarity

KillRadio.org: Program Details: Bush's Convention Speech, Edited for Clarity

"I won't do no dares, I won't go in it every again."

Emailed from a friend:

abc7.com: Terrifying Ordeal, Girl Stuck in Washer

READING, PENNSYLVANIA — What started out as a dare turned into a terrifying ordeal for a Pennsylvania girl

Eight-year-old Anna Moyer is still bruised and sore after being stuck in a triple loading washing machine for more than five minutes. She says she got into the machine on a dare. Then, a friend put in a few coins and turned it on.

Luckily some adults were close by. They frantically dismantled the washer – literally pulling wires apart to turn the machine off and get Anna out.

The little girl says she learned a valuable lesson. She said, "I won't do no dares, I won't go in it every again."

Anna says she is now afraid to even enter a laundry room.

Last Updated: Sep 2, 2004

Yet more on Comment Spamming Fuckwits

How do they find me when I have a feeling I can count readers on no more than both hands?

Exhibit A.

Exhibit B.

Exhibit C.

A favorite quote:

9:19 pm on July 31, 2004
Some more thoughts:
Most comment spammers access the mt-comments.cgi script directly. Knowing this, it gives us a possibility to prevent abuse using .htaccess:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteCond %{HTTP_REFERER}!^http://.*yoursite\.com(/)?.*$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^path-to-mt/mt-comments.cgi - [F]

Some other ways of avoiding automated comment spam:

Readers of your weblog must register before posting to your weblog

Image comprehension technology (accessibility issues though)
Like pmac says, there are loads of tools out there, just go Google (it's a verb) for them!

J.

Drunken Monkey

The National Geographic Channel just prompted a Google Images search for "drunken monkey."

Though already sold by auction, this kickass beer stein is just dang impressive.

Val Kilmer is Moses

Who can really argue with that? Not, apparently, this unutterably odd South African Gay and Lesbian Portal.

Really.

Won't anyone think of the children?