Note: this video was produced before Apollo 11 landed on the moon in 1969. NASA and the (then) Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) began work on the design of nuclear propulsion systems in the mid-1950s.
Everything old is new again …
https://www.bwxt.com/what-we-do/nuclear-thermal-propulsion-ntp
… and commercial travel to anywhere on Earth in less than an hour
Elon Musk updates the plan for getting to Mars by revolutionizing space travel (and Earth travel). This talk concluded at 12:30 CDL Friday.
It’s all about reusability!
It’s always wise to test what you are about to do – in advance. If you want want to live on Mars, isolated, create some kind of HAB module on Earth. Test that in advance. ~ Neil Degrasse Tyson, Mars, Episode 5 / Season 1 (13:20)
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/mars/
HI-SEAS (Hawaii)
Mars Desert Research Station (Utah)
Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (FMARS)
On November 14, the National Geographic Channel will debut the the new mini-series MARS by executive producer Ron Howard. MARS is a novel alternation of fiction and documentary featuring commentary by Elon Musk, Andy Weir, Robert Zubrin, and other experts on Mars and space flight.
But why wait until November 14? You can stream the prequel BEFORE MARS and the first episode NOVO MUNDO right now (below). You can also watch THE MAKING OF MARS with Ron Howard and other short videos – behind the scenes and other related videos.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/mars/videos/before-mars/
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/mars/videos/novo-mundo/
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/mars/
This is great stuff! Watch it. Seriously. I mean it.
I just saw The Martian in 3D on the wide screen.
Excellent. Seriously excellent. The cinematography was superb. So was the acting. Although there was scrupulous attention paid to the scientific and technological aspects, it did not in any way overshadow the human drama. There was humor. There was frustration. There was elation. Aspects of Apollo 13 and Castaway were strong. There were even reminisces of 2001 A Space Odyssey (without the monolith, monkey men, or crazed computer). I would see this again in the theater.
I previously posted that I had listened to the unabridged audio book. The movie was true to the book, somehow condensing 10hr 53min down to 2hr 21min without loosing anything. Yes, yes the book goes into much more detail on the underlying science and isolation of Mark Watney, but you can read the book later.
GO SEE THIS MOVIE IN 3D
GO SEE THIS MOVIE IN 3D
Let’s occupy Mars!
But, no air or gasoline …
Use electric cars … 🙂
Mars rover Opportunity completes first extraterrestrial marathon (26 miles and 385 yards or 42.195 km).
You go little rover!
OK
I had my joke
Time to be serious.
This is one fine book. I am listening to it on audio book from Audible.com
Eleven hours
Unabridged
I like audio books. Easy on the eyes. Accessible while driving to and from work. Multi-tasking friendly.
Whether in hardcover, paperback, eBook, iBook, or audio book … READ THIS BOOK. Unless of course you hate science fiction. (Why would anyone hate science fiction?)
The Martian is in the same class as Apollo 13, Castaway, and Gravity. It is a satisfying survival/rescue story replete with lots of techie goodness, human compassion, bureaucratic assholery, and will-to-survive. Prior to seeing the movie trailer, I was unaware of this book. The movie, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon is looking better and better.
http://andyweirauthor.com/books/the-martian-hc
Synopsis: An astronaut is stranded on Mars and must beat incredible odds to survive until rescue.
Synopsis: An astronaut is stranded on Mars and must beat incredible odds to survive until rescue.
http://shop.spacex.com/featured/occupy-mars.html
Elon Musk wants to put a million people on Mars.
http://aeon.co/magazine/technology/the-elon-musk-interview-on-mars/
The interwebs are all atwitter at the alien thigh bone found on Mars by the Curiosity rover. I’m sure this is old news by now.
More likely than not it is actually a volcanic bomb formed as molten rock thrown from one of the Martian volcanoes or impact craters cooled while flying through the air.
One wishes they would send Curiosity over to run an analysis on it. If it had the chemical composition of Martian rock, one could more forcefully argue against it being a fossil.
Copyright © 2014 by Christian Bergman, All rights reserved.
All people, places, and events are fictional … except when they aren’t.
• • •
In the distant past, a forgotten shepherd stares up at the sky, studying the bright red dot that drifts night to night among the background of stars.
We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.
President John F. Kennedy, September 12, 1962, speaking to incoming freshman students at Rice University, Houston, Texas
Despite my joke that that I like my coffee the way I like my women …
The Register is reporting that Elon Musk expects to have space-farers on Mars within the next twelve years. Only when the “interplanetary mission gets underway” does he expect to “float [SpaceX] on Earth-bound stock exchanges.”
Read the full story at The Register.
Previously posted videos
In case you missed them … or just want to watch them again.
I feel like a kid again.
Elon Musk is my hero.
Mystery light on Mars
The Register and others are reporting that the Mars Curiosity Rover has photographed a mysterious light on Mars.
This is the fifth chapter.
Start at the beginning or read the previous chapter.
Copyright © 2014 by Christian Bergman, All rights reserved.
All people, places, and events are fictional … except when they aren’t.
The Nudist War – Day 45
And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
~ Genesis 2:25, King James Bible
• • •
Jess awoke to the sound of thunder. She opened her eyes and turned to look at the alarm clock. It’s luminous face showed 6:30 AM. She reached over to her laptop and brought up one of the outside security cameras. The video and audio indicated that it was raining heavily. “At least the weather is still normal,” she thought before turning off her alarm, rolling over, and going back to sleep.
In the next room Eddy was snoring heavily. When he got back to the lab the night before, they both agreed they desperately needed a good night’s sleep. After several medicinal scotches, they both retired for the night. The DNA sequencing could wait, besides they were making no progress anyway. A good night’s sleep was the least they were due.
For background context on this story, you are encouraged to read: Phobos Rising, Jumper, and Rocket Man.
Copyright © 2014 by Christian Bergman, All rights reserved.
All people, places, and events are fictional … except when they aren’t.
Cats on Mars – a short story
Aurorae Chaos, or Aurora for short, jumped up on large low hard flat surface and then up to top level of tall structure with many thin flat surfaces. Low Martian gravity made it easy to reach high perch in two easy leaps. She scanned domain for brother, Olympus Mons, but nowhere to be seen.
Olympus Mons, or Ollie, was in what people called ‘bedrum’, attacking one of things that cover people’s rear paws. He hadn’t killed it in while and it needed killing. He chewed and eviscerated it with rear claws. When convinced it killed enough, he got up to find sister.
Aurora just about settled in for afternoon nap when saw Ollie walking cluelessly into big area. From high perch watched him come around corner and prance toward her. She wiggled hips in excitement as prepared to pounce. Wiggle. Wiggle. Ollie wandered closer, not suspecting anything. Wiggle. Wiggle. Wiggle. Wiggle. In instant Aurora airborne, sailing through low Martian gravity like fury ballistic missile. Landed on top of Ollie and battle royale was on. They rolled around on floor biting and eviscerating each other with rear claws. Went on for few minutes until exhausted, relaxed and began grooming each other. After several long minutes mutual grooming, Ollie got up to check kibble bowl. Aurora thought follow Ollie in case he discovered something she needed investigate.
This one possible recipe for the roasted crickets that are a favorite food of the Martian Colonists in my sci-fi short story Rocket Man.
https://contrafactual.com/2014/01/08/rocket-man/I need to try this as part of my research.
September 5th, 2010
Whilst on a food shoot yesterday, somebody turned up with a jar of Mexican Spicy Crickets. I was intrigued and delighted to find that they are quite crunchy and flavoured with chilli, garlic and lime. The crickets came from Oaxaca, Mexico, where they are a popular snack.
Spicy Cricket Recipe:
lots of crickets
lime juice
crushed garlic
chilli flakes
olive oil
salt
Drop your crickets into some boiling water to kill them quickly. When they turn red, remove them from the saucepan. Dry the crickets with some kitchen towel and marinate over night in a bowl of lemon juice, crushed garlic, chilli flakes and a little salt, to taste.
Remove the crickets from the marinade, but don’t dry them. Heat some olive oil in a frying pan and add the crickets when the oil is hot. They don’t take very long and it’s important to…
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Despite all the other fun bits that I include in my blog … my cats, the interesting YouTube video, various fun facts, music, history … my real reason for blogging is that I want to write fiction. I currently have two main streams of fiction: the Day 42 zombie saga and the Mars collection of science fiction short stories.
I recently wrote a new short story titled Rocket Man.
I included various supplementary material on either side of it. Prior to posting Rocket Man. I reblogged both Phobos Rising and Jumper. After I posted it, I included a history of the Rocket Man song. Intermixed with this was a variety of other video posts and a cat post.
The material on either side of the Rocket Man short story got numerous ‘likes’ … yet Rocket Man got only a single ‘like’.
I am perplexed.
• Did you read it and not like it?
• If you read it and did not like it, can you tell me what you disliked?
Be frank I’m a big boy I can take criticism.
• If you didn’t read it why not?
As always I am extremely appreciative of your feedback.
Thanks cb
A history of Rocket Man through the decades …
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Man_(song)
1972
1978
2009
2012 (40th Anniversary)
If you enjoyed this, you might also enjoy my short story Rocket Man
PS I especially like William Shatner’s 2011 rendition of Rocket Man on Seeking Major Tom
For background context on this story, you are encouraged to read: Phobos Rising and Jumper.
Rocket Man – a short story
Copyright © 2014 by Christian Bergman, All rights reserved.
All people, places, and events are fictional … except when they aren’t.
Mars ain’t the kind of place to raise your kids. In fact, it’s cold as hell. – Elton John, Bernie Taupin (1972)
“Rocket Man, burning out his fuse, out here alone.” I recall the lyrics of the ancient Elton John song that has become the anthem of our profession, as I prepare for our deorbit burn. “Pressurizing the primary fuel loop … now,” I call out to my copilot.
“Roger that. Pressures coming up nicely,” Sam replies. “Prepping the igniters. I have New Masdar on the com. They have us in the flyway.”
“Roger that. Double-check the voltage on main B bus. I don’t like what I’m seeing.”
“It’s on the low-end of nominal, but within tolerance. It should get us home.”
“Okay, bringing reserve batteries online. Request NAV fix.”
“Patching in NAV from New Masdar”
“Got it. Ten minutes to ignition,” I confirm. “Better notify our passengers.”
Prerequisite reading …
[Author’s note: This is part of the Project Mars series of short stories.
To start at the beginning go >> HERE << ]
Copyright © 2013 by Christian Bergman, All rights reserved.
All people, places, and events are fictional … except when they aren’t.
http://en.almareekhwiki.org.mars/jumper_(spacecraft)
Jumper (spacecraft)
____________________________________________________________________
From AlMareekhWiki, the free encyclopedia of Mars
(Redirected from Ballistic Jumper)
English Version | النسخة العربية | Русская версия | 中国版本 | हिंदी रूपांतर
Jumper, also known as ballistic jumper, is the primary short range transport vehicle for Mars. It is a variant of the lunar jumper in use since the mid twenty-first century. Like the lunar jumper, upon which it is based, it comes in three variants: ballistic crew jumper…
View original post 1,974 more words
Prerequisite reading …
Copyright © 2013 by Christian Bergman, All rights reserved.
All people, places, and events are fictional … except when they aren’t.
Phobos Rising
“A7A! That landing was harder than anything we trained for! Muhammed, Abdullah, Fatima, Ayesha are you OK?”
I listen for them to check in one by one:
“Na’am, Alhamdulillah!, Yes, Praise to God!”
“OK, Alhamdulillah!”
“Na’am”
“Na’am, Alhamdulillah!”
I look over at Maria and she nods that she is OK. I check the gauges and indicators, then pull up the system diagnostics on the computer display. “Saidati wa sadati, ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to Mars!”
View original post 2,712 more words
Curiosity – a short story
Copyright © 2013 by Christian Bergman, All rights reserved.
All people, places, and events are fictional … except when they aren’t.
The traffic on the Foothill Freeway is particularly light today, due to the fact that almost everyone is taking the week of Christmas off. I am approaching an old pickup truck poking along what must be 45 to 50 mph in the far left-hand lane. At 80 mph, I am closing the gap quickly. Deftly sliding over one lane to the right, I punch the accelerator of my 12 year old ‘pre-owned’ Tesla Roadster, passing the pickup with ease. Inside the pickup truck an old Latino couple are arguing away, oblivious to the traffic hazard they present. I check my rearview mirrors left and right and realize that we are the only two vehicles on the road. My exit is coming up fast, so I let off the accelerator and ease over to the far right lane applying ever-so-light regenerative breaking to slow down for my left turn on to Berkshire Place. I swing under the Foothill Freeway and continue coasting and decelerating as I approach the dead-end ‘T’ into Oak Grove Drive.
The light is red. As I pull to a stop, I mutter out loud, “why am I waiting on a signal light when I’m the only car as far as the eye can see?” With that I check my surroundings one last time, swear under my breath, and pull deliberately into Oak Grove Drive heading north. I smile as I power up to the speed limit. “I am an outlaw,” I think to myself as I double check the radar detector and rear view mirrors.
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory main entrance appears ahead. Once again, I decelerate as I pull up to the guard shack. I immediately recognize the guard on duty and show him my badge. “Hey Al, Merry Christmas. I thought you were off to see the grandkids.”
…
Curiosity Fails to Find Methane in Martian Atmosphere
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/m/news/?release=2013-285
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/news/phx20100524.html
May 24, 2010
PASADENA, Calif. – NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander has ended operations after repeated attempts to contact the spacecraft were unsuccessful. A new image transmitted by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows signs of severe ice damage to the lander’s solar panels.
“The Phoenix spacecraft succeeded in its investigations and exceeded its planned lifetime,” said Fuk Li, manager of the Mars Exploration Program at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. “Although its work is finished, analysis of information from Phoenix’s science activities will continue for some time to come.”
…
During its mission, Phoenix confirmed and examined patches of the widespread deposits of underground water ice detected by Odyssey and identified a mineral called calcium carbonate that suggested occasional presence of thawed water. The lander also found soil chemistry with significant implications for life and observed falling snow. The mission’s biggest surprise was the discovery of perchlorate, an oxidizing chemical on Earth that is food for some microbes and potentially toxic for others.
“Furthermore, the technology available to America a half century ago was vastly inferior to that of today. The men who designed Apollo did their calculations on slide rules capable of performing, at most, one calculation per second, not on computers doing billions. Yet in eight years they solved all the problems necessary to take us from nearly zero human spaceflight capability to landing men on the moon and returning them to Earth.
As this book will show in detail, from a technological point of view, we are much better prepared to send humans to Mars today than they were to get men to the Moon in 1961. Yet they got there in eight years. We’ve gone nowhere in the past three and a half decades.
So, the question is, what did NASA have then that it doesn’t have now?
The answer is Resolution.”
Excerpt From: Zubrin, Robert. “Case for Mars.” Free Press, 2011. iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.
Check out this book on the iBooks Store: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewBook?id=448231990
Also available at Amazon
A very good one hour documentary.
[Author’s note: This is part of the Project Mars series of short stories.
To start at the beginning go >> HERE << ]
Copyright © 2013 by Christian Bergman, All rights reserved.
All people, places, and events are fictional … except when they aren’t.
http://en.almareekhwiki.org.mars/jumper_(spacecraft)
Jumper (spacecraft)
____________________________________________________________________
From AlMareekhWiki, the free encyclopedia of Mars
(Redirected from Ballistic Jumper)
English Version | النسخة العربية | Русская версия | 中国版本 | हिंदी रूपांतर
Jumper, also known as ballistic jumper, is the primary short range transport vehicle for Mars. It is a variant of the lunar jumper in use since the mid twenty-first century. Like the lunar jumper, upon which it is based, it comes in three variants: ballistic crew jumper, ballistic cargo jumper, and fast cargo jumper. SpaceX-Boeing is the manufacturer of the ballistic crew jumper. JPL-EADS is the manufacturer of both the ballistic cargo jumper and the fast cargo jumper.
Copyright © 2013 by Christian Bergman, All rights reserved.
All people, places, and events are fictional … except when they aren’t.
Phobos Rising
“A7A! That landing was harder than anything we trained for! Muhammed, Abdullah, Fatima, Ayesha are you OK?”
I listen for them to check in one by one:
“Na’am, Alhamdulillah!, Yes, Praise to God!”
“OK, Alhamdulillah!”
“Na’am”
“Na’am, Alhamdulillah!”
I look over at Maria and she nods that she is OK. I check the gauges and indicators, then pull up the system diagnostics on the computer display. “Saidati wa sadati, ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to Mars!”
Contrafactual 