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Technology

"Jet Man" Yves Rossy Attempts First Intercontinental Flight, Ditches Into Atlantic

By Clay Dillow Posted on 11.25.2009 9 Comments
He started as the Jet Man and became a wet man. Just more than a year after becoming the first person to cross the English Channel using a jet-powered wing, Swiss adventurer (and former PopSci cover star) Yves Rossy ditched into the Atlantic while attempting the first intercontinental jet wing flight.

11.26.2009 at 02:13pm - Comment by podboq

It's obviously edited, that huge post above mine notwithstanding. Probably was edited to make the sponsor logos more readable, but the lines are too sharp on the wing, i can almost see the oversharp artifacts... The only things not edited are his face plate, and his chute and the white structures to either side and below it , and the bottoms of his footwear.
DIY

Amazing Aerial Photos from a Homemade Gas-Powered Paraglider

By Paul Adams Posted on 11.13.2009 3 Comments
National Geographic has published a beautiful gallery of aerial photos of the Sahara, shot by George Steinmetz. Steinmetz shoots his pictures while soaring above the Earth on a gasoline-powered paraglider he built himself.

11.17.2009 at 11:05am - Comment by podboq

may he always land softly...
Technology

Air Force Seeks Better Space Technology: Are Star Wars Upon Us?

By Clay Dillow Posted on 11.11.2009 38 Comments
Just last week, the Chinese air force chief officer called military competition in space "inevitable." For those who thought this was just idle saber-rattling, take a look at what the American Air Force is cooking up this morning: a $50 million bid for better interplanetary weather forecasts, "battlespace surveillance" in space environments and inertial sensors for navigation, presumably in situations where the standard compass isn't effective.

11.14.2009 at 06:24pm - Comment by podboq

What does supporting Obama have anything to do with anything?? Jeezie Creezie... What should be enacted as international law, is all spacecraft MUST be equipped with de-orbit functionality, after its life is over. The problem area starts at about 200 miles up, and extends out to 22,000 miles...that's a HUGE amount of space, which quite a bit of junk floating around... but collisions are almost unheard of now... any future craft put into space should have a mechanism by which is can suicide... that's the ONLY real option.
Technology

Air Force Seeks Better Space Technology: Are Star Wars Upon Us?

By Clay Dillow Posted on 11.11.2009 38 Comments
Just last week, the Chinese air force chief officer called military competition in space "inevitable." For those who thought this was just idle saber-rattling, take a look at what the American Air Force is cooking up this morning: a $50 million bid for better interplanetary weather forecasts, "battlespace surveillance" in space environments and inertial sensors for navigation, presumably in situations where the standard compass isn't effective.

11.12.2009 at 04:11pm - Comment by podboq

How bout a giant strip of flypaper?
Technology

Air Force Seeks Better Space Technology: Are Star Wars Upon Us?

By Clay Dillow Posted on 11.11.2009 38 Comments
Just last week, the Chinese air force chief officer called military competition in space "inevitable." For those who thought this was just idle saber-rattling, take a look at what the American Air Force is cooking up this morning: a $50 million bid for better interplanetary weather forecasts, "battlespace surveillance" in space environments and inertial sensors for navigation, presumably in situations where the standard compass isn't effective.

11.12.2009 at 04:11pm - Comment by podboq

LOL
Science

Vatican Ponders the Existence Of Alien Life

By Stuart Fox Posted on 11.11.2009 19 Comments
After years of lagging behind in the acceptance of scientific fact, the Vatican has not only caught up, but, with a conference this week, moved far past the boundaries of modern science. Yes, 376 years after they condemned Galileo for discussing a heliocentric solar system, and a mere 16 years after pardoning him for it, the Vatican will host a conference on astrobiology and the existence of extraterrestrial life.

11.11.2009 at 02:35pm - Comment by podboq

This conference can't be anything other than an exercise in imagination, as there is no evidence whatsoever at all that there IS life anywhere but here. Conjecture on earthen evidence that life started spontaneously on earth in no way lends any credence to more conjecture on life arising spontaneously on other planets. What's the point of this again?
Technology

Air Force Seeks Better Space Technology: Are Star Wars Upon Us?

By Clay Dillow Posted on 11.11.2009 38 Comments
Just last week, the Chinese air force chief officer called military competition in space "inevitable." For those who thought this was just idle saber-rattling, take a look at what the American Air Force is cooking up this morning: a $50 million bid for better interplanetary weather forecasts, "battlespace surveillance" in space environments and inertial sensors for navigation, presumably in situations where the standard compass isn't effective.

11.11.2009 at 02:29pm - Comment by podboq

It's a bit of shame, our lack of self control; given our aptitude for technological innovation, that we can't step above animalistic instincts, and proceed with national budgets towards making the world a truly better place as opposed to what we've made it.
Science

A Material Based on Sharkskin Stops Bacterial Breakouts

By Posted on 10.29.2009 11 Comments
A whale’s skin is easily glommed up with barnacles, algae, bacteria and other sea creatures, but sharks stay squeaky-clean. Although these parasites can pile onto a shark’s rippled skin too, they can’t take hold and thus simply wash away. Now scientists have printed that pattern on an adhesive film that will repel bacteria pathogens from hospitals and public restrooms.

10.31.2009 at 06:44am - Comment by podboq

my comment was in response to Photoprinter's.... Popsci got rid of my quote automatically...
Science

A Material Based on Sharkskin Stops Bacterial Breakouts

By Posted on 10.29.2009 11 Comments
A whale’s skin is easily glommed up with barnacles, algae, bacteria and other sea creatures, but sharks stay squeaky-clean. Although these parasites can pile onto a shark’s rippled skin too, they can’t take hold and thus simply wash away. Now scientists have printed that pattern on an adhesive film that will repel bacteria pathogens from hospitals and public restrooms.

10.31.2009 at 06:42am - Comment by podboq

<> I've heard worse ideas... keep them coming!
Technology

Huge Texas Wind Farm's Turbines Will Be Made in China

By Jeremy Hsu Posted on 10.30.2009 44 Comments
Clean tech has seen a boost as the U.S. pours government funding into renewable energy, and China looks set to reap much of the benefits. Latest example: a Chinese wind-turbine company has just become the exclusive supplier for one of the largest wind-farm developments in the U.S.

10.31.2009 at 05:24am - Comment by podboq

Edison fought against A/C power, it was Tesla that advocated it, and invented the first a/c motor... Edison demonstrated how wrong A/C was by electrocuting an elephant, which video can be found online...